Proximity detection and collision avoidance technologies for underground and surface mining operations are becoming increasingly innovative and Booyco Electronics asserts that it is leading the sector in developing intelligent adaptable safety solutions to meet  demanding operational and regulatory environments.

Whether in the confined high-risk zones of underground operations or the complex and dynamic settings of openpit mines, proximity detection systems (PDS) and collision avoidance systems (CAS) are essential. According to Booyco Electronics CEO Anton Lourens, the hazards differ in these environments but the safety requirement of ‘zero harm’ remains the same.

“In surface mining operations, poor visibility from dust, fog or low light and the movement of mixed fleets in large open areas create a unique set of safety challenges,” says Lourens. “Underground, the risks are amplified in narrow tunnels with minimal escape space, making early warning and rapid intervention absolutely vital.”

The company notes that its PDS solutions are designed to be effective across these conditions, providing scalable site-specific technologies that respond to real-world risks. “We have developed systems that work in both surface and underground mines, ensuring safety performance across multiple environments,” Lourens adds.

The PDS solutions integrate multiple technologies,  such as radio-frequency identification and global positioning systems, into a single intelligent platform. The systems are designed to deliver high-accuracy detection, reduce false alarms and ensure that operators receive only the most relevant alerts.

“False alarms are one of the biggest challenges to adoption,” says Lourens. “Our systems are engineered to issue graded alerts based on severity to inform and warn operators.”

Booyco Electronics highlights its latest developments that also support interoperability across mixed original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) fleets. “Our solutions are OEM-agnostic, which means a mine doesn’t need to retrofit or replace existing machinery to achieve a unified PDS deployment,” explains Lourens.

The Booyco Electronics Asset Management System (BEAMS) software platform is designed to enable mines to harness operational data. By tracking near-misses, safety incidents and operator behaviour, BEAMS can potentially identify high-risk areas and implement proactive safety measures.

“BEAMS transforms data into a strategic tool helping mines optimise safety without compromising throughput,” says Lourens.

The company is also focussed on incorporating advanced AI for smarter risk analysis, enabling engineering control intervention such as automatic braking or speed control and expanding remote diagnostics through Internet of Things-enabled connectivity.

Integration with autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles helps ensure that systems continue to safeguard human-machine interactions as mining shifts toward automation.

“Our latest intelligent data-driven approach to proximity detection and collision avoidance is giving mines the tools they need to meet tightening safety regulations and reduce incidents,” Lourens concludes.