Digital reality solutions company Hexagon’s mining division completed a significant safety installation at the Namibia-based Rossing uranium mine, equipping primary mining vehicles there with the HxGN MineProtect Operator Alertness System Heavy Vehicle (OAS-HV) – two months ahead of schedule.
Located in the Namib Desert, 70 km from the coastal town of Swakopmund, the mine is a significant openpit uranium mine.
OAS-HV is an integrated fatigue and distraction-detection, alerting and reporting solution that helps operators maintain the level of attention necessary for long shifts.
Integrated with HxGN MineProtect Collision Avoidance System, the OAS-HV uses sophisticated computer vision technology to provide real-time fatigue and distraction risk status and traffic awareness to operators through unobtrusive, operator-friendly displays.
Hexagon mining Europe, Middle East and Africa MD Andrew Crose says Rossing’s commitment, engagement and willingness to adapt to Covid-19 restrictions played a large part in the project’s success.
“Hexagon shares Rossing’s commitment to safety and the core belief that people are a mine’s most precious asset,” he adds.
Included with Rossing’s deployment is Hexagon’s 24/7 remote monitoring service, ensuring impartial monitoring without imposing on the customer’s information technology and server infrastructure.
A successful trial among operators of OAS-HV in the fourth quarter of 2020 led to full deployment, says Hexagon long-term planning principal adviser George Murasiki. “The system was fully adopted by the operators.”
He adds that Hexagon noticed an increase in the productivity of operators and machinery, which improved production. “Good communication between all parties ensured we achieved the efficiencies needed to reach targets early.”