The project
In the last few decades the number and depth of underground mining operations has experienced a considerable growth. Fractured rock extraction, carried on by LHD-type front end loaders, is still mainly a manual or line-of-sight remote controlled task, even to date.
The automation of the navigation step could reduce the risk of hazards associated to the tramming and hauling of mineral, such as rock fall and bursts.
Additionally, other health issues that come as a consequence of working in an environment with heavy dust and blasting fumes, could be avoided, not to mention the benefit of a reduced number of accidents caused by human carelessness. In this scenario, a semi-autonomous operation mode would allow the relocation of human operators to a safer and more comfortable remote working station, where such risks are highly decreased.
Our technological development will allow the industry to:
As a result of the above, a multi-brand, low cost autonomous transportation system for LHD machines is developed. The main differences of this product from others that are similar are:
1.- The system can adapt to the dynamic conditions of the underground mines.
2.- Has lower infrastructure requirements.
3.- Has a lower cost.
4.- The solution is multi-brand.
This project is led by a group of specialist in robotics and automation from the Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC) with ample experience in the development of R&D projects and technology transfer to the mining industry in the fields of robotics, sensors and data networks, pattern recognition y image processing.
Carlos Tampier
Project Director
Dr. Javier Ruiz del Solar
Alternate Director