Positioned as the “future” of idler roller monitoring in conveyor systems, the Smart Mine’s artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) Smart Conveyor solution from automation, hydraulics and mobile machinery products company Bosch Rexroth helps achieve streamlined safety and efficiency processes.

Smart Conveyor is currently used in three locations in South Africa and is suitable for various industries, including cement, logistics, sugar and paper.

The Smart Mine range of solutions aims to modernise the mining industry through optimising mining operations and promoting sustainable business practices.

“Safety and efficiency are top priorities in mining,” says Bosch Rexroth Smart Mine GM Jonas Corali.

Other Smart Mine solutions include Stop-Start Retrofit, Smart Inspection and Smart Lockout.

He explains that Bosch Rexroth’s Smart Conveyor system is a future-based solution for conveyor idler roller monitoring, as it uses cloud-based temperature sensors to identify problematic areas along conveyor belts.

In addition, the Smart Conveyor solution’s alarm system eliminates the need for manual problem identification and provides instant location detection for where the alarm is triggered, thereby speeding up fault finding.

Further, the Smart Conveyor solution can reduce unplanned maintenance, thus increasing an asset’s availability in the mining operation, says Corali.

Bosch Rexroth says the Smart Conveyor solution is highly scalable, enabling the incorporation of up to 5 000 sensors for each kilometre covered.

According to Bosch Rexroth, the Smart Mine range of solutions have experienced some noteworthy milestones since inception; in particular, the first Smart Conveyor solution was installed in Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic, amid various challenges.

“It was a challenging time, but we pushed forward with our mission to revolutionise the mining industry with our cutting-edge technology, and great results have been achieved to date,” says Corali.

“The installation of this ground-breaking technology was a true highlight and it presented an opportunity to showcase the incredible capabilities of our innovation.

“Smart Conveyor’s remote monitoring capabilities proved invaluable when site access was difficult, ensuring successful mining and minimised risks,” he adds.

Subsequently, Bosch Rexroth has recorded an influx of enquiries about, and interest in, Smart Mine solutions from potential clients.

Bosch Rexroth states that AIoT enables secure and transparent data sharing, enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and improves safety in the mining process. It also enables the tracking and tracing of materials, promoting responsible sourcing and sustainability.

According to Bosch Rexroth, the company’s Smart Mine innovative solutions benefit the wider community and environment, reinforcing Bosch Rexroth Africa’s commitment to sustainable economic growth.