Electronic mine safety equipment company Booyco Electronics is installing its pedestrian detection system (PDS) technology at a surface mining operation.

“We have completed the [installation on the] mining operation side and are currently busy with the mineral processing side, wherein lie more challenges and a lot more applications,” says Booyco Electronics MD Anton Lourens.

He adds that the company has standardised its PDS deployment, with specific zone shaping for each vehicle type, and took time to analyse the operational requirements of the project.

Booyco Electronics’ technology is flexible, which allows it to accommodate client requirements and different vechicle types.

Currently there are systems for surface mining operations that look at machine-to-machine interaction, however, these are not necessarily applicable or effective on the pedestrian side, says Lourens, adding that “while we believe that we have the best solution available on the market, the industry-wide implementation of PDS technology remains an issue”.

He notes that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has unveiled the draft version of the mandatory Code of Practice for Trackless Mobile Machinery (TMM). The code deals with TMM in terms of what measures are expected by the regulator and where this is going.

He says the code is already past draft stage, and there is hope that it will change the immediate market requirements. He adds that the DMR has also specified additional testing to ensure that all products comply with the same standards.

Lourens says that the mining industry has adopted a cautious approach to the implementation of PDS technology. “There is quite a lot of work still to be done, as we are not yet at the point where these systems can just be switched on.”

He says a major challenge is that there are a number of stakeholders to deal with, from the mining houses and contractors to the vehicle original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and PDS suppliers.

“Ultimately the client has a specific viewpoint in terms of his operational requirements, so we have to ensure that all these stakeholders are accommodated,” says Lourens.

While Booyco Electronics is engaged in ongoing discussions with OEMs, the biggest part of its installations is retrofits, as many of its mining customers wish to ensure that they are compliant. This is challenging, as the company often has to relocate existing installed equipment to enable the PDS to work properly. “The technology is such that ID installation is specific to create a particular application.”

While this market sector is highly competitive at the moment, what gives Booyco Electronics its leading edge is its capability to offer a total solution, says Lourens.

“We have tried to create a total scope of supply so that the client does not have to worry about other related safety equipment. For example, we can supply our biometric licensing readers either in conjunction with PDS or as a standalone item.”

He says another significant long-term requirement will be the servicing and maintenance of Booyco Electronics’ installed PDS base once the use of PDS technology has been legislated. He maintains that there are big opportunities for the company, particularly in how it has positioned its products in terms of functionality and pricing.

“What gives us a competitive edge is that our products are designed and manufactured for local conditions and specifications,” he concludes.