Using the latest technology can improve underground hard rock mining efficiency.
Fundamentally, underground hard rock mining has changed very little over the last century or so. Shafts and tunnels are excavated and constructed to allow miners to reach an ore zone, the ore body is broken up using blasting or other methods, and the resulting material transported along tunnels and up shafts to the surface where it is crushed and processed.
It has even been said that if a miner from 100 years ago was taken to a typical underground hard rock mining operation of today, he would probably be impressed by the size, scope and speed of the operation, but would recognise and understand most of the core activities. The machinery may be more advanced, but basic methods have changed very little in many mines.
However, there are an increasing number of mines that would probably convince the miner of old that he had ended up inside a mine on another planet, were he to suddenly find himself brought forward in time. The reason for this is the widespread adoption and intelligent use of the latest digital technology by certain progressive underground hard rock mining companies. Technological solutions and systems are used to facilitate better planning and development of mines, as well as intensive real-time monitoring of equipment and manpower; manage and substantially increase production output and simultaneously decrease unit production costs; and enhance mine safety via monitoring and early warning systems.
Throughout the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region – and the world – underground hard rock mining operators are exploring the use of technology as a means to improve productivity and ensure the safety of mine personnel and equipment
Controlling costs and remaining competitive and financially viable are constant challenges for operators of underground hard rock mines. Making intensive use of new technology is the logical starting point for making every aspect of a mine’s daily operations more efficient, and therefore more cost effective.
At RAMJACK Technology Solutions, our foundation and specialty is production and safety technologies for underground hard rock mines. Our product portfolio reflects a comprehensive range of dedicated underground hard rock mining solutions from the world’s top original technology manufacturers, for example:
- Newtrax – Mine management systems. Newtrax’s backbone and core mine management applications solve the most immediate safety and production-related problems in underground mines. Key product offerings include:
- MineHop – completely wireless, battery powered communications network
- MineTrax – equipment, personnel and production tracking solution
- MineEvac – emergency evacuation application for underground mines
- MineProx – proximity detection and warning system
- MineFace – underground face utilization solution
- MineAlone – tracking and safety system for miners working alone
- Mine Design Technologies – Rock mechanics monitoring. Mine Design Technologies (MDT) employs world-renowned expert manufacturers of geotechnical instrumentation that monitors rock mechanics in any type of mine. Key product offerings include:
- Extensometers
- Contractometers
- Instrumented Cable Bolts
- Sloughmeters
- uGPS Rapid Mapper™ – 3D laser based mobile mapping platform. Creates rapid, on-the-fly point cloud data representations of mine tunnels and shafts to feedback to mine planning, projects and operations. Can be used for:
- Digital augmentation of shaft inspections
- 3D modeling of tunnels and shafts
- Volumetric calculations
- Many other types of mobile mine survey and mapping tasks
- Conspec Controls – Mine environment monitoring. Conspec Controls employs the world’s foremost experts in:
- Gas detection
- Atmospheric monitoring
- Ventilation management
- Toxic gas alarms
- Post-blast re-entry management systems
Contact us now to discuss how the products and solutions we supply can enhance safety and productivity in your underground hard rock mining operation.
At RAMJACK Technology Solutions, our underground hard rock mining solutions benefit clients in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
