Automation Program
Program Overview
Automation enhances energy efficiency by reducing variability in the operation of mining equipment. For surface mines, key activities will focus on excavation and loading, producing five outputs that incrementally deliver autonomous rock loading. For underground applications the key activity will enhance situational awareness; the output will be an operator decision support tool that improves energy efficiency and mine vehicle safety. RD&D will be undertaken with major equipment manufacturers to deliver these in a form ready for industry to use. The need for workforce competency development in automation will be addressed by working with the industry to articulate training needs.
The link between automation and emissions reduction comes through the potential to deliver more consistent operation of equipment. This equates to reduced energy consumption and therefore lower emissions. The world’s first fully automated straddle carrier at the Port of Brisbane, for example, has reduced energy costs per container move by 40%. The use of automated machine control and guidance systems in road construction delivers fuel savings of 43%. Automation technology is not yet sufficiently developed to achieve similar benefits in mining and the activities of the Automation Program will address four gaps that must be bridged: (i) control strategies must be developed to enable automated machines to operate interdependently with other equipment; (ii) situational awareness capabilities must evolve to the point where they can replace the many and varied functions performed by human operators; (iii) technologies are required that enable effective integration of automated machinery into mine systems; and (iv) workforce skills must be enhanced to support deployment of high-end automation technologies.
Program Leader
Professor Ross McAree
r.mcaree@crcmining.com.au