Telematics and Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies are leading a shift in the mining industry, where connected devices are producing a flood of data such as positional information using GPS systems and sensors that provide data on temperature, vibration, sound and other parameters – all leading to improvements in operational efficiency, safety and yield in mining operations, explains Netstar group MD Grant Fraser.

The mining industry is also moving towards automation, remote mining and digitalisation, which can be used to further improve efficiency, yield and safety. “A lot of those trends are driven by macro trends in the technology industry,” Fraser says, particularly pointing to the role of cloud computing and the flexibility of cloud solutions to allow mining companies to turn data into actionable insights through advanced analytics and AI.

The use of advanced telematics systems plays a crucial role in improving safety and reducing the risks related to mining. An example is the collision avoidance system, or CAPS, that gives direct real-time positional information of all vehicular and human traffic to augment safety protocols. This system is evolving, and legislative requirements are driving more advanced levels of intervention, which will ultimately allow for fully automated collision avoidance, notes Fraser.

AI technology can also be used to improve safety through the integration of video data with the IoT. AI can help to analyse video feeds in real time to spot hazards and enable mining operations to react quickly to potential threats.

Fraser acknowledges that the changes in the industry are leading to a shift in focus towards operating remotely and using telematics to gain insights about where assets can move and how efficiently they can be utilised in real time, asserting that: “The combination of human thought and machine analysis will change the face of mining . . . [heralding] a future of safer, more productive mining operations.”

Netstar is a widely recognised brand in the vehicle tracking and stolen vehicle recovery industry in South Africa and its ever-evolving solutions are designed to safeguard assets and provide fleet management services and fleet intelligence. The company says its insurance telematics solutions position it as a leader in the IoT landscape.

With the ability to monitor a mining fleet’s location, usage and behaviour, the Netstar Mining Fleet Solution is designed to help prevent incidents to reduce downtime, costs and injuries on site.

The solution proactively manages operator and equipment activity and safety, helping to increase productivity. Critical data and oversights enable the monitoring of equipment and operators to optimise routes, costs and efficiencies.

Consisting of hardware, software, data analytic tools, advanced fleet intelligence services and emergency call centres, the solution monitors a mine’s production, maintenance and safety to enable a reduction in incidents, improve safety and regulatory compliance, increase efficiency and production, and reduce downtime and overall costs.