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Technology to help avoid vehicle collision on mines

13th September 2013

By: David Oliveira

Creamer Media Staff Writer

  

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Collision avoidance systems (CASes) developed for the mining sector by mining equipment supplier Becker Mining South Africa prevent fatalities, injuries, damage and downtime, in surface or underground operations, of vehicles operating in the proximity of personnel.

These modular systems – which range from a simple, low-cost single technology system, to an integrated multitechnological system – encompass all aspects of the most advanced mining communications and technology systems.

Becker’s latest patented tri-tech- nology, CAS, with four proximity warning zones, has been designed to overcome the limitations of existing systems and can even bring the mining vehicle to a complete stop, should this be necessary.

The latest CAS-400 series receiver, which was launched in September 2012, provides audible voice annunciation – customisable to different languages on request – and visual warning proportional to the proximity of the threat. An on-board buffer enables authorised personnel to download daily movement details, either physically or through a wireless network, such as a leaky feeder system.

Mine personnel are cautioned by a transceiver tag, known as a personnel avoidance system, by means of a flashing light and buzzer on a cap lamp when they come close to any vehicle. The number of flashes, which is limited to five, indicates the number of vehicles in a miner’s vicinity. The detecting range can be set according to specific requirements. This system warns mine personnel of machines, machines are warned of personnel and machines are warned of other machines.

A further advantage of Becker’s new multiple technology approach is that mines now have the flexibility of being able to moni- tor both slow- and fast-moving equipment on surface and underground with one system.

With the latest patented tri-technology CAS, absolute distances constituting each zone transition threshold are variable, but default values for slow-moving vehicles – less than 10 km/h – are clearly defined. In the critical zone, less than 5 m, vehicles are forced to stop. In the warning zone, between 5 m and 12.5 m, there is an intense warning for vehicle operators and mine personnel. In the caution zone, between 12.5 m and 100 m, there is a gentle warning for vehicle operators and mine personnel. No warning is necessary for personnel in the safe zone of more than 100 m.

“This reliable system, which is installed in various mine vehicles and cap-lamp battery packs, acts as an early-warning indicator to both vehicle operators and pedestrians, playing a vital role in enhancing safety on mines,” says Becker Electronics MD Edwin Bauer. “CAS is a necessary safety system on the mines, particularly underground, as, in this harsh environment, it is impossible for vehicle operators to constantly be fully aware of other mine personnel and vehicles in their immediate proximity,” he adds.

Becker collision and personnel avoidance systems consist of personnel and vehicle tags, as well as machine-mounted devices, which detect the tags. Higher-end tags warn person-nel of an approaching vehicle. These products may be used as a simple standalone or com-plete system and can be deployed using a phased approachn to limit initial capital expenditure.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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