KOMATSU
Modular Mining Systems Unveils the Latest in Mining Technology
By David M. Keating, Modular Mining Systems, Inc.
Extensive mine monitoring and optimal production tracking are priority goals at any mine site. Fleet management systems around the world work to augment tracking, optimize haul truck assignments and control blending at mining operations. Over the past few years, sites have also realized and focused on the ability of these systems to increase production capacity.

Realized capacity—a site’s current production output—may approach, but never exceed, inherent (potential) capacity. Effective mine management, in the form of optimized equipment utilization and minimized losses, can shorten the gap between realized and inherent capacities. As a total mining solutions provider, Komatsu relies on Modular Mining Systems, Inc. (Modular) for a variety of technologies relating to mine management.


DISPATCH® system operating in an underground mine

An operator monitoring an open-pit mine using the DISPATCH® system
DISPATCH® Mine Management System
Modular’s DISPATCH® mine management system is a powerful solution that works to proactively shorten the gap between realized and inherent capacities using data captured by rugged-field applications in real time. Founded in 1979, Modular developed, demonstrated and introduced this revolutionary product to the mining market. The original DISPATCH® technology, with custom hardware and software, optimized the assignment of trucks to loading and dumping points in an open-pit mine and produced operating reports during the shift. Almost three decades later, the DISPATCH® system is still at the forefront for production tracking, optimization and blending at mining operations around the world.

The DISPATCH® fleet management system manages a variety of mine processes, including haul truck dispatching and crew rotation, in addition to reducing operator fatigue and unintentional equipment abuse. Furthermore, the solution is proactive, as the system uses collected data to predict and suggest operator actions that will optimize productivity.

ShiftBoss™ Production Tracking System
Although the DISPATCH® application is the most effective solution for larger open-pit and underground mines, the newly developed ShiftBoss™ production tracking system provides accurate, fully automated equipment data recording to smaller sites. Mines that do not require all of the features of the DISPATCH® system are now able to track and report productivity without a dispatcher. Unveiled by Modular at MINExpo International 2008, the ShiftBoss™ application runs on a new, integrated touch screen using low-precision global positioning system (GPS) receivers and is compatible with standard 802.11 networks, such as the MasterLink® system.

Additionally, the accurate, affordable ShiftBoss™ system has a number of safety features, including navigation software that displays equipment location on an onboard moving map. Other utilities of the ShiftBoss™ solution work to manage material movement and crew rotation. Another major feature, Store&Forward™ technology, allows operators to work outside wireless communication ranges for extended periods of time, storing production data locally and later uploading upon reconnection.

The RoadMap™ system enables real-time monitoring of light vehicles throughout the mine site.
RoadMap™ Safety and Position Tracking System
The RoadMap™ safety and position tracking system monitors the position and speed of light vehicles in variable mine site conditions. Also introduced at MINExpo, the RoadMap™ system tracks a wide variety of conditions, including hazards, speed limits, areas of restricted access and road network changes. Personnel, visitors and contractors throughout the site are notified of these conditions via individual handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs).

MineCare® Maintenance Management System and ProVision® Machine Guidance System
Other Modular innovations include the MineCare® maintenance management system and the ProVision® machine guidance system. MineCare® systems provide remote real-time equipment monitoring available on over 100 ModularReady™ interfaces. User-defined trending and alarms help maintenance personnel to predict and prevent equipment failure. ProVision® solutions reduce cost and increase efficiency through elevation control, 3-D material delineation and stakeless drilling. Proximity alarms enhance site safety, while a dynamic digital terrain model (DTM) provides a centralized view of mining progress.

Modular joined the Komatsu Group in 1996, enabling both companies to expand their product lines. Together with Komatsu, Modular helped deploy the first Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) with the FrontRunner® system. For more information on Modular, please visit the following website: www.modularmining.com