The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has unveiled the draft version of the mandatory Code of Practice for Trackless Mobile Machinery (TMM), Booyco Electronics MD Anton Lourens tells Mining Weekly.

“It deals with TMM in terms of what measures are expected by the regulator and where this is going. It is already past draft stage, and we believe it will change the immediate market requirements. “The DMR has also specified additional testing to ensure that all the products out there comply with the same standards,” Lourens says.

Booyco Electronics has been at the forefront of low-frequency (VLF) radio-frequency identification (RFID) pedestrian detection system (PDS) technology since 2006 and has just introduced the newest iteration of its technology, taking into account the latest trends and developments.

While the main function of PDS technology is to warn miners of any approaching vehicles, it includes two-way communications to initially warn the operators of any mobile equipment, when any miners are detected in the vicinity of that TMM.

The PDS is based on VLF, as well as radio frequency (RF) technology, with miners equipped with two-way RFID tags fitted to their cap lamps.

Vehicle or other static danger zones have VLF antennae, which can generate several stable and predetermined fields around the vehicle in question.

When a miner enters this zone, his tag is activated and a warning signal is triggered. The exclusion zones can be up to 15 m from the TMM.

The vehicle unit transmits a VLF signal of less than 15 kHz through ferrite antennae, which creates the exclusion zone for both directions of travel.

When a driver himself needs to be warned, the control unit then receives an ultra-high frequency signal from the miner’s tag, which in turn activates the relevant alarm. The power requirement for the unit is 12 VDC.

The ferrite antenna is mounted in a resin-filled, plastic enclosure. On machinery typically longer than 8 m to 10 m, two sets of antennae should be installed, with unit sets installed on opposite ends of the TMM, based on the mines operational requirements.

A miner’s RFID tag is issued to every person, with such a tag consuming less than 10 mA and not producing any electromagnetic radiation, for example, activated when not in a detection zone.

Lourens states that the improved functionality of Booyco Electronics’ PDS technology stems mainly from feedback received from the mining industry, with professionals requesting an example that it also includes “fail-to-safe” diagnostics and data logging.

Lourens says, most importantly, PDS technology stands to play a significant role in preventing TMM-related fatalities, which is the second-biggest cause of deaths in mining after fall-of-ground fatalities.

In addition, the PDS technology can be used as a monitoring tool to keep track of vehicles and personnel in a mine.

Booyco Electronics supplies its PDS technology as a complete system, including all the necessary hardware and software, which is updated constantly.

“Using PDS is an all or nothing approach,” Lourens adds, noting that every person and vehicle in a mine must be equipped with PDS equipment in order to be able to realise all the benefits of the technology.

While many coal, gold, platinum, copper and manganese mines in South Africa are using PDS systems, other industries at risk of collisions between heavy machinery and people, such as oil refineries, forestry and logistics have also shown interest, Lourens mentions.

“One of the challenges for PDS suppliers is to try to get people to understand the system,” Lourens states.

“This is where Booyco Electronics’ extensive reference base stands the mining industry in good stead, allowing it to disseminate the latest technology and applications knowledge,” he concludes.