The recent launch of a new mine safety solution was enthusiastically received by the industry as it looks for ways to improve safety – particularly when it comes to the interaction between haul trucks, light vehicles and mine workers.
HxGN Mine VIS from Hexagon is a vehicle intervention system that detects and prevents collisions by automatically slowing down or even stopping a haul truck if an imminent collision is detected. The company regards it as an additional layer of safety on top of its popular collision avoidance system (CAS), helping to avoid incidents, injuries and fatalities. Mine VIS manages traffic in the pit and, by reacting when and if operators do not, it ensures safety rules are followed.
Hexagon President and CEO, Ola Rollén, says, “Safety demands more than just partial solutions. Mines can be dangerous places. Heavy traffic, large equipment, and poor visibility all create the potential for accidents. Mine VIS improves CAS by taking control of a machine if the operator does not react appropriately to a CAS warning.”
CAS provides drivers of large vehicles with 360° proximity detection at any speed and in all conditions via cabin display units. It is installed in more than 25,000 vehicles in over 60 mines worldwide.
A last-resort system
Mine VIS can take control of the machine in certain defined situations if the operator does not react appropriately to the initial CAS warning. The system can act depending on the situation, either by inhibiting propulsion, activating the retarder, or applying the service brake.
It can also be used in conjunction with the company’s fatigue-detection, alerting and reporting solution, FatigueMonitor. It uses the same sensors and user interface to protect the customer’s initial investment. Hexagon worked closely with an OEM to realise this vision of a last-resort system that mitigates the consequences of a collision.
Mine VIS is being Installed in Anglo American JKumba Orin Ore's Sishen mine in SOuth Africa. The company contacted Hexagon after conducting an extensive risk assessment of its operation to understand major risks. Together with the customer, Hexagon defined a step-by-step approach to develop a solution.
