Software development company Dariel Solutions aims to launch the mining module of its Weigh Bridge Connectivity (WBX) goods-delivered and goods-received system by October, Dariel Solutions MD Malcolm Rabson tells Mining Weekly.

The development of WBX started four years ago, in South Africa, and was launched as a pilot product in 2011 at Cato Ridge Ferromanganese Works mine, in the Northern Cape, which is a joint venture between South Africa-based mining companies African Rainbow Minerals and Assmang. The system was designed for the mine’s specific needs and to function in conjunction with the mine’s enterprise resource planning management (ERPM) system, explains Rabson.

He notes that the new developments to WBX allow for greater flexibility, as the system can be changed and modified to suit the user’s specific mining requirements.

Trucks carrying raw materials from mines make use of weighbridges to determine the net value of the raw materials. Companies use weighbridges in conjunction with ERPM systems – which assist with business functions, such as stock control and orders, as well as keeping a record of aspects such as truck and driver identification – and a software package that cross references the weight of the goods with an order.

However, ERPM systems are not connected to weighbridges directly, resulting in up to 70% of exceptions such as goods not matching the orders. “The current systems are not flexible enough to deal with such variances, which delays the logistical process, as the goods need to be physically accounted for, or checked by, slow, outdated computer systems,” he says.

Dariel Solutions WBX electronic system acts as a bridge between ERPM and weighbridge systems. “The WBX electronic system matches the order to the raw materials, but can also identify exceptions, such as discrepancies between the orders and the actual tonnage,” says Rabson.

The WBX electronic system provides a full order trail, which helps prevent fraud, as the system receives an electronic record of the driver’s licence and the registration number of the vehicle that will be used to deliver the goods from the hauling company, as well as the quantities of materials that need to be delivered.

Should the record from the hauling company not match those of the driver, the system identifies and records the irregularity. Security will then notify the necessary personnel, who can then decide whether or not the change in driver, vehicle or quantities was authorised before the goods are dispatched. The system is also connected to security booms and spikes, which will prevent the vehicle from leaving the premises without the correct authorisation.

Further, should goods received by a company not match the order, the business can connect to the cloud network of WBX to verify the records of what was sent out by a mine for delivery. If these do not match, it is clear the variance would have occurred outside the mine facility during the delivery process, which eliminates mines being suspected of fraud.

The WBX system sends and receives records of goods received and orders dispatched between businesses using the Internet. However, if Internet connectivity is lost, the system allows for the continuation of distribution, as it can track all orders and, once Internet connection is re-established, it will synchronise and match the goods ordered to the goods dispatched between the businesses.

“Through the coupling of the ERPM and WBX systems, the goods delivered and goods received process is automated and reduces turnaround time of delivery trucks in the yard,” he explains, noting that this makes the logistical process more efficient.