BHP Billiton has posted positive results from automated bulldozers at its Escondida copper mine to address safety issues around stockpiles and conveyors.
According to the company, poor visibility, unstable ground and material falling from conveyors has led to numerous injuries and fatalities among bulldozer operators at mine sites.
BHP says the only sure way of addressing such risks is to remove bulldozer operators from their cabs and have them operate their machines from a safe, remote location.
The miner integrated Remote Control Technologies’ (RCT) automated solution at the Escondida copper mine in northern Chile in 2007. According to the company, the driverless bulldozers have performed well, assisted in maintaining operational continuity, and improved safety at the mine.
The Australian-made technology has already been integrated to a dozen mines in the Australasian region, including Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya.
RCT senior business development manager, Phil Goode, says the efficiency of remote control dozer operations is ‘very comparable’ and ‘significantly safer’ than manual operations, as men are not at risk of falling into crushing feeders with the conveyor running overhead.
“It is a much more productive way of operating as mines do not have to shut down conveyors and feeders to do all the clean-up work,” he said.
RCT has now supplied and fitted five full remote dozer systems at Escondida and provided training for mine personnel. The systems have been hailed a success and are now finding their way around the globe.
Add a comment