The Asia Miner

APR-JUN 2017

The ASIA Miner - Reporting Important Issues to Mining Companies in the Asia Pacific Region

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Volume 14 • Issue 2 | 2017 | ASIA Miner | 49 ATLAS Copco's new automation software lets the drill rig do the work. Dynamic tunnelling package is a new automation software for face drilling rigs, which gives improved accuracy of the excavation thanks to the fact that drill plans always will be fitted for the current section. With this software the drill rig can create its own drill plans directly at the face of the tunnel. Simply by downloading the contours of the tunnel or mine drifts to the drill rig together with a drill rule file enables the drill rig to create drill plans tailored for the section it is navigated within. No more going back and forth with drill plans is needed. "Today, in tunnelling projects, especially large ones in urban areas, there are differences in the cross section. You go up and down with your drill plans," said Atlas Copco product manager Boomer Johan Jonsson. "The Dynamic tunnelling package helps you so you don't have to go up and down anymore. The drill plan is made on the drill rig and at the face." Atlas Copco customer Veidekke and their RV80 project in Norway was a pilot project for the package. "Veidekke is working on the State Highway 80 project in Bodø. There's a tunnel that's two times 2.5km where we are going to ex- cavate about 500,000 cubic meters of rock," said Veidekke manag- er Surveying Technic Underground Jon-André Nilsen. "The collabo- ration with Atlas Copco to develop the Dynamic tunnelling package went well. Atlas Copco was responsive to our feedback and made adjustments to the program. "Today, drill rig operators make niches manually. They can turn out way too big or way too small. Dynamic tunnelling package makes our drilling more precise. We can make changes to drill plans direct- ly on the rig. We can move cuts or drill-holes. We are more flexible at the tunnel face compared to making all changes at the office. "We use the Dynamic tunnelling package to make niches (areas of the tunnel with larger cross section). This makes the work more precise," he said. "The Dynamic tunnelling package is very easy to use. It is two key- strokes and you are started. The contour turns out very accurate," said Veidekke drill rig operator Kent Simensen. "The end result is identical to the drawing. Dynamic tunnelling package has made my work in the tunnel a lot easier." GEKKO Systems and Rockwell Automation have signed a Memo- randum of Understanding (MoU) to develop software solutions that will assist mining customers across the globe to account for metal content in the various stages of ore processing plants and provide the analytical capability to audit and improve operating performance. Rockwell Automation and Gekko have worked together collabo- ratively over 15 years and bring together Gekko's deep knowledge and experience in mineral processing solutions and operations with Rockwell Automation's global leadership in automation. The MoU was signed on February 27 by Gekko's Global Mining and Processing Services manager Renaldo Maras, Gekko's group manager - Sales & Commercial Andrew Edmondston and Rockwell Automation's regional director South Pacific, David Hegarty. "It is exciting for Gekko Systems to be associated with Rockwell Automation in what we believe to be a significant opportunity to assist the mining industry to make sense from valuable data that is often lost or not easily accessible for analysis." said Renaldo Maras. The metallurgical accounting program is in development and pilot stage. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to help co-develop this Connected Mine software solution with Gekko Systems. This is the culmination of our ongoing 15 plus year relationship and the ex- ploitation of technology and industry trends towards the Industrial Internet of Things. This is a solution that ultimately will help benefit our respective clients," said Rockwell Automation, Gekko account manager Steve Simpkin. Gekko Systems is a leader in the mineral processing industry, of- fering fully integrated solutions to mining companies. Gekko is a pio- neer in the design, manufacturing and installation of energy efficient, low height, modular plants. With offices in Australia, Canada and South Africa, the Gekko team is passionate about delivering products and services that achieve maximum efficiencies for its customers around the world. New Atlas Copco drill rig software Rockwell Automation business managers Peter Morell (left) and Michael Pantaleano (right) with Gekko Global Mining & Processing Services man- ager Renaldo Maras and Gekko group manager – Sales & Commercial Andrew Edmondston. Gekko and Rockwell software collaboration

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