How does digitalization increase efficiency of the mining enterprises? TADetails

What technologies are used in the mining industry

Key problems of digital transformation in the mining industry same, as well as in many other spheres — cost reduction and increase in production volumes. As in Russia, and around the world penetration of information technologies into this segment happens brightly and in high gear. Development of technologies, electronics, mechanical engineering, change in area of processes of management of production, emergence of new solutions based on artificial intelligence and also change of the principles of mineral extraction influence.

Already now universal application on open mining operations of modern automated control systems of a mining-transport complex (an ACS of the State Customs Committee) allows to plan optimal operation modes of the mountain equipment, optimizing processes of mining operations — the development director of VIST Group Dmitry Klebanov gives an example. — In addition to an ACS of the State Customs Committee, in mining production also other information systems are used: mountain planning, APCS, MES, MRO, ERP and so on.

These systems keep a huge number of data on what occurs on production, but the level of their analytics remains weak so far. Slows down development of the industry and the fact that systems need integration, and to it units came so far. And therefore, for example, the analysis of operation modes of the enterprise at the operational level during change and at the planning level of ERP is made by different people on the basis of the different data which are not connected among themselves.

Not up to standard and predictive analytics: whether it be questions of performance or security — already happened situation is investigated. Machine search of correlations between the different systems is widely not widespread.

In what activities of the mining enterprises use of digital solutions gives the greatest effect

The advantage of technologies will be obvious at each stage. Integration which already began and profile softwares will give the chance to manage all production chain: from drilling before mineral enrichment.

At the same time, identical management processes will be implemented already not just in separate workshops, and at all enterprise. The maximum effect will be gained with connection of predictive analytics.

'Levels of automation and approach of Tsifra Group to creation of the digital mountain enterprise'

It is possible to offer the scheme of step-by-step process of digital transformation of mining company, proceeding from expediency and degree of readiness of the enterprise to initiate these or those processes of digitalization — Dmitry Klebanov explains. — The enterprises pass several stages. Conditional zero level which includes installation of sensors, sensors, the diagnostic systems collecting and storing telemetry from the key equipment and the production and technology systems is especially important.

The lower three levels are key for implementation of the principle of Mine to mill which is that method of management of all chain at the mining enterprise. The exception of the person of all linear technology processes on production due to robotization or implementation of the robotic systems will be the last stage.

'Production chain of mining and hierarchy of technologies'

How to increase equipment service life, having cut down repair expenses and service

One of the most important controls of the digital mountain enterprise is planning of maintenance and repairs. In profile software this module allows to count objectively an equipment operating time to the next stage of maintenance. It builds chains of frequency of technical impacts on objects of production on all key indicators: to engine hours, run, time and so on. Estimated time of carrying out TO at the same time can be corrected manually for optimal loading of repair crews.

It is clear, that at digital approach to these processes, repair and service become less accidental stories. They are predicted and programmed in advance thanks to what management of the enterprise can avoid unnecessary maintenance and react to a problem upon its emergence, but not in the predeterminated terms. In practice it, as a rule, leads to more thoughtful and economical service and repair, and often — to expect breakdowns.

As "digit" helps to increase security in the mining industry

Security in the mining industry is often reached due to reduction of number of personnel in dangerous zones. It can be promoted by the last stage of digitalization existing for this moment — saturation of the enterprise the robotic equipment and systems.

Creation of sections, work on which is performed by the robotic equipment, guarantees performance improvement and safety of open mining operations due to removal of the person from a dangerous zone, elimination of the idle times connected with human factors, controls of the equipment in the optimal modes and also automatic optimization of cargo flows in career and other production processes — Dmitry Klebanov specifies.

The robotic systems allow to increase efficiency and safety of mining operations due to robotization of key technology processes of mining. Among the most widespread tasks which rise in the industry — robotization of control of drilling rigs, cargo transportation, loading and operation of the auxiliary equipment.

For robots the future, however it is necessary to solve problems of industrial security already now. The traditional mechanism of production supervision at the enterprise allows to support the established level of industrial security, but is not intended for its increase.

One of characteristic signs of the established level of labor protection and industrial security is existence of the repeating violations of security requirements. The share of such violations makes more than 60%. The systematic nature of violations, is confirmed by their existence practically in each fabrication cycle of basic processes.

Among the main defects of the mechanism of industrial security our clients, as a rule, note tolerance of workers of violations of security requirements, the irrational organization of works and low motivation of people on safe work.

Thus, systematic violations of security requirements are natural as they are a consequence of defects in production organization. Elimination of systematic violations without elimination of defects of an organizational system is impossible.

For the solution of these tasks automation of process of operational production management is necessary. In particular, it is about issue of tasks to each change also control of their execution. In addition, responsibles should have access to operational information better to plan work of divisions of the enterprise and third parties. It will help to provide accomplishment of tasks without risk for security. System implementation of management of industrial security allows to organize operational work on providing safe conditions at operational conducting mining operations, to provide effective production supervision and improvement of all system of industrial security at the enterprise. As a result of automation of industrial security the number of the repeating violations can be reduced by 44%.

Processes of digital transformation of the mining enterprises took place already long way of development. Creation of digital productions and the enterprises is an objective need and reality. These processes are highly significant as are capable to affect efficiency and level of industrial security of the enterprise, lowering cost value of mineral extraction and increasing business competitiveness in the conditions of the becoming complicated mining-and-geological, mining and climatic conditions — Dmitry Klebanov sums up the results. — Large-scale implementation of an ACS of STC Karyer at the mining enterprises of Russia and also development of autonomous and remotely-controlled dump trucks is an example. In the nearest future the first heavy-load dump trucks the BelAZ with our robotic system will begin to work at the mountain enterprises. Life does not stand still, and development of processes of digital transformation is defined by economic feasibility in the conditions of intense competition in the world markets.