Surface Teleremote
Operation
Dion Hurn
Haulage Supervisor, Mining
August 22, 2011
Background
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 2
Background
Underground Teleremote Operation
 Previously in place at Cannington Mine.
 Operator was 200 – 300 metres from operating machinery.
 Operator was still underground and exposed to hazards.
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 3
The Initiative
The Projects Team began discussing the possibility of building on the
existing site Teleremote Capabilities.
Major step in protecting employee health and increasing safety.
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 4
The Solution
Initial investigations
 An external organisation was consulted.
 The vendor was provided with concerns and requirements for
development of a Surface Teleremote Operation.
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 5
The Solution
Implementation
 Phase 1 - underground loaders
were operated from the surface
mining administration building.
 Phase 2 - introduction of a guidance
system.
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 6
The Solution
The Surface Teleremote Operator was developed with:
 a wireless control system
 distributed antenna infrastructure.
The system includes a power supply health monitoring circuit with a
battery back up.
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 7
The Solution
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 8
The Solution
Cost
 Development and installation of the initial system and console:
$227,000.
 Additional consoles: $167,000.
 Benefit of increased productivity as operations can continue through
blasting.
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 9
The Solution
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 10
Benefits/ Effects
180%
160%
140%
120%
100%
80%
Haulage - Loaders
Admin staff
60%
50% Adjusted OEL (Action Level)
Adjusted OEL
40%
20%
0%
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 11
Benefits/ Effects
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 12
Transferability
 Custom designed system.
 Potential to continue to revolutionise an inherently dangerous work
environment.
 The system can and has already been adopted in various surface mine
operations.
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 13
Innovation
 The innovation sets a leading example of improving relationships with
individuals, departments and external contractors.
 System unique to Cannington.
 Best practice remote technology.
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 14
Innovation
 First step in taking people out of underground mining environment.
 Efficient operation still functioning in underground environment.
 Inherent risk reduced dramatically.
 Modified an existing system to enable safe production.
 Improves and enhances our Teleremote fleet capabilities.
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 15
Discussion and Questions
Dion Hurn, Haulage Supervisor, Mining, August 22, 2011
Slide 16