The document discusses a project called ELAP that aims to increase safety for underground miners by automating the manual process of loading explosives into blast holes. It describes how the project involves developing remote-controlled and autonomous technologies to allow miners to operate emulsion loading equipment from a safe distance away from the worksite. These technologies include remote consoles, teleoperation from the surface, and an "intelligent system" called the Loading Process Supervisor that can automatically load explosives into holes like a human would. The goal of the project is to significantly increase safety for miners by removing them from the hazardous worksite during the explosives loading process.
This document outlines the responsibilities and functions of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) as established by DOLE Administrative Order 168 in 2013. The POLO serves as DOLE's overseas arm, protecting the rights, welfare, and interests of Filipino workers abroad. Key responsibilities include verifying employment contracts, monitoring host country situations affecting OFWs, operating migrant workers and other facilities centers, and handling issues like contract violations, illegal recruitment, and requests for assistance from workers. The POLO coordinates with Philippine embassies and overseas offices of agencies like OWWA, SSS, and Pag-Ibig. It is also required to submit regular reports to DOLE headquarters on its operations, the labor market of its host
1) An Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) serves as an exit clearance for departing OFWs and exempts them from travel taxes and airport fees. OECs can be obtained from POLO or POEA offices before departure.
2) Workers-on-leave, or Balik Manggagawa, returning to the same employer or with proof of new employment in the same country generally qualify for an OEC. Dependents and tourists do not qualify.
3) Documentary requirements for an OEC include a passport, valid work permit, employment contract, and proof of Pag-Ibig membership for a Php100 fee. OECs are valid for 60 days or 1 year depending
The document discusses the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1990 and took effect in 2003. The Philippines ratified the convention in 1995. To date, 48 states are parties to the convention, most being countries of origin for migrant workers. The document also outlines the Philippine government's efforts to implement the convention, including bilateral agreements with other countries, protection and assistance for overseas Filipino workers, social security for migrant workers, and support for returning workers and their families.
This document discusses the semi-mechanization of coal mining in India using Side Discharge Loaders (SDLs) and Load Haul Dumpers (LHDs). It provides background on the introduction of mechanization in coal mining in India. SDLs and LHDs have become important tools for intermediate technology in coal mining. The document describes the operations, capacities, advantages and safety features of SDLs and LHDs. It also discusses best practices, operating problems and the code of practice for operators.
Surface miners are continuously operating mobile machines that cut consolidated soils and semi-solid rocks without drilling or blasting. They have a central cutting drum located between two crawler tracks that can be raised and lowered hydraulically. As the drum cuts the material, it is loaded onto on-board conveyors for transport and loading onto trucks. Surface miners allow for selective mining of coal seams and partings with less dilution and higher quality coal. They are well-suited for mining areas where blasting is prohibited and improve coal recovery.
This document provides an overview of open pit mining technologies used in coal mines operated by SCCL in India. It discusses the key types of surface and subsurface mining methods. For open pit mining, it describes various mechanized methods used including shovel-dumper combinations, draglines, and bucket wheel excavators. It also outlines the ideal conditions for open pit mining and discusses operations involving stripping, drilling, blasting, extraction, and transport of coal. Pit design considerations like bench dimensions and slope angles are also summarized.
There are two main methods for coal mining - surface or open-cast mining and underground mining. The choice of method depends on the depth of the coal deposit and thickness of material overlying it. Underground mining involves digging inclined or vertical entry tunnels into the deposit without removing the overburden rock, and then mining the coal using various methods like bord and pillar, longwall mining, etc. Open-cast mining involves removing the overburden rock and then excavating the coal deposits using equipment like shovels, draglines, surface miners. Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) is one of the major coal producers in India operating in Godavari Valley coalfields of Andhra Pradesh since 1889.
This document outlines the responsibilities and functions of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) as established by DOLE Administrative Order 168 in 2013. The POLO serves as DOLE's overseas arm, protecting the rights, welfare, and interests of Filipino workers abroad. Key responsibilities include verifying employment contracts, monitoring host country situations affecting OFWs, operating migrant workers and other facilities centers, and handling issues like contract violations, illegal recruitment, and requests for assistance from workers. The POLO coordinates with Philippine embassies and overseas offices of agencies like OWWA, SSS, and Pag-Ibig. It is also required to submit regular reports to DOLE headquarters on its operations, the labor market of its host
1) An Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) serves as an exit clearance for departing OFWs and exempts them from travel taxes and airport fees. OECs can be obtained from POLO or POEA offices before departure.
2) Workers-on-leave, or Balik Manggagawa, returning to the same employer or with proof of new employment in the same country generally qualify for an OEC. Dependents and tourists do not qualify.
3) Documentary requirements for an OEC include a passport, valid work permit, employment contract, and proof of Pag-Ibig membership for a Php100 fee. OECs are valid for 60 days or 1 year depending
The document discusses the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1990 and took effect in 2003. The Philippines ratified the convention in 1995. To date, 48 states are parties to the convention, most being countries of origin for migrant workers. The document also outlines the Philippine government's efforts to implement the convention, including bilateral agreements with other countries, protection and assistance for overseas Filipino workers, social security for migrant workers, and support for returning workers and their families.
This document discusses the semi-mechanization of coal mining in India using Side Discharge Loaders (SDLs) and Load Haul Dumpers (LHDs). It provides background on the introduction of mechanization in coal mining in India. SDLs and LHDs have become important tools for intermediate technology in coal mining. The document describes the operations, capacities, advantages and safety features of SDLs and LHDs. It also discusses best practices, operating problems and the code of practice for operators.
Surface miners are continuously operating mobile machines that cut consolidated soils and semi-solid rocks without drilling or blasting. They have a central cutting drum located between two crawler tracks that can be raised and lowered hydraulically. As the drum cuts the material, it is loaded onto on-board conveyors for transport and loading onto trucks. Surface miners allow for selective mining of coal seams and partings with less dilution and higher quality coal. They are well-suited for mining areas where blasting is prohibited and improve coal recovery.
This document provides an overview of open pit mining technologies used in coal mines operated by SCCL in India. It discusses the key types of surface and subsurface mining methods. For open pit mining, it describes various mechanized methods used including shovel-dumper combinations, draglines, and bucket wheel excavators. It also outlines the ideal conditions for open pit mining and discusses operations involving stripping, drilling, blasting, extraction, and transport of coal. Pit design considerations like bench dimensions and slope angles are also summarized.
There are two main methods for coal mining - surface or open-cast mining and underground mining. The choice of method depends on the depth of the coal deposit and thickness of material overlying it. Underground mining involves digging inclined or vertical entry tunnels into the deposit without removing the overburden rock, and then mining the coal using various methods like bord and pillar, longwall mining, etc. Open-cast mining involves removing the overburden rock and then excavating the coal deposits using equipment like shovels, draglines, surface miners. Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) is one of the major coal producers in India operating in Godavari Valley coalfields of Andhra Pradesh since 1889.
Autonomous shipping is the future of the maritime industry.
A ship’s ability to monitor its own health, establish and communicate what is around it and make decisions based on that information is vital to the development of autonomous operations
Wilhelmsen and KONGSBERG joined forces to take the next step in autonomous shipping by offering a complete value chain for autonomous ships, from design and development, to control systems, logistics services and vessel operations.
The document discusses the development of autonomous ships. It describes several autonomous shipping projects including the world's first autonomous shipping company established by Wilhelmsen and KONGSBERG, and Rolls-Royce's partnership with Google to create smarter autonomous ships using machine learning. It also discusses Yara Birkeland, the world's first fully electric and autonomous container ship, and a demonstration of the world's first fully autonomous ferry in Finland. The document outlines some of the key technologies needed for autonomous ships including advanced sensor modules, deep sea navigation systems, remote maneuvering support systems, and engine monitoring and control systems. It describes the role of shore control centers in monitoring and assisting autonomous ships.
This document is a letter of transmittal for a final report on a robotics project involving an automated baggage transportation system. It introduces the project of using robotic arms instead of baggage handlers to move luggage from conveyor belts to airplanes. It also includes declarations of authorship, an executive summary, and sections on team management, design plans, results, strategies, and conclusions of the project report.
The document discusses the use of a proximity detection system called "ShiftBoss" at the Moolarben Coal Mine. The system uses antennas and base stations to track equipment locations and warn operators if they get too close to other vehicles or hazardous areas. It allows silent communication between trucks and excavators and text messaging. While it provides warnings of potential hazards, it also has drawbacks like false positives, relying on "dumb" bubble technology, and potential to decrease operator attentiveness over time. The mine is evaluating whether current proximity detection technologies are suitable for their needs and how to best incorporate all vehicles and maintain safety.
Straddle carriers are commonly used at ports to transport containers but often experience accidents. To reduce accidents, ports can implement training programs to ensure only authorized operators drive the carriers. Access control systems using ID cards can restrict carrier operation to only trained operators and provide an audit trail of usage. Installing LED floodlights improves visibility and safety compared to traditional lights.
This document discusses ways to reduce accidents involving straddle carriers at ports. Straddle carriers are popular for container handling but traffic incidents are common due to fast-paced work in varied conditions. The document recommends implementing training and authorization for operators, restricting access to only authorized operators through a centralized ID card system, addressing fatigue issues, and installing LED floodlights for better visibility to improve safety. Common causes of straddle carrier accidents identified include collisions with other vehicles and equipment due to poor visibility. Implementing recommendations around operator authorization and monitoring, access controls, lighting improvements, and fatigue management can help ports achieve their goal of zero accidents.
Reducing Straddle Carrier accidents at the Portiosrjce
IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE) is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal that provides rapid publication (within a month) of articles in all areas of mechanical and civil engineering and its applications. The journal welcomes publications of high quality papers on theoretical developments and practical applications in mechanical and civil engineering. Original research papers, state-of-the-art reviews, and high quality technical notes are invited for publications.
Accident prevention and traffic control at hill stations ppt.pptxnanthakumark6
The document proposes using machine learning and computer vision to help prevent accidents at hill stations. Cameras would monitor traffic and OpenCV would detect any non-moving vehicles, indicating an accident. If an accident is detected, a signal would alert drivers at entrances to avoid that route until the issue is cleared. The system aims to reduce accidents and traffic issues caused by incidents in hairpin bends. It would use a one-stage detection algorithm in OpenCV to identify vehicles and prevent accidents and congestion.
This document describes controlling a two-direction traffic light using a PLC. It discusses using timers, ladder logic programming, and designing a system with four stages - all red, pole 1 green, pole 2 green, pole 3 green - that repeats continuously. The system was successfully implemented with sensors interfaced with a PLC module to synchronize the traffic light process.
This document describes a proposed automated elevator system with overload alert. The system uses infrared sensors and a microcontroller to detect the number of passengers entering and leaving the elevator. A 7-segment display shows the current passenger count. An alarm buzzes if too many passengers enter. The goal is to prevent elevator breakdowns from overloading and ensure passenger safety. Components include a microcontroller, sensors, displays and buzzers. Flow charts show the logic and block diagrams illustrate the system design. Simulation and testing showed the system working as intended to accurately count passengers and alert if limits are exceeded.
The document discusses improving the performance of Del Monte's cascade layer picking (CLP) line. The CLP line currently picks around 591 cases per hour but was predicted to pick around 1000 cases per hour. The objective is to study the CLP line and propose process improvements to increase the cases picked per hour. A local genetic algorithm was developed and applied, improving performance to 623 cases per hour by reducing operator travel distances. Other improvements like purchasing additional warehouse space were also pursued to further optimize the CLP line.
Embracing Aerial Robotics in the Oil and Gas SectorManaswiMumbarkar
Discover how aerial robotics redefine oil and gas practices, enhancing safety & precision. Explore the future of robotic applications in this transformative industry.
The document discusses Professor James Reason's "Swiss cheese model" of accident causation, which uses slices of Swiss cheese with holes to represent weaknesses and barriers in systems that can lead to accidents if the holes align. It provides examples of technologies like Sky-Trax's vehicle tracking and warning systems and Crown Equipment's anti-slip traction control that address individual weaknesses and improve barriers to help prevent accidents in materials handling. Maintaining a total safety culture that seeks to eliminate weaknesses is key to reducing accident opportunities.
This document discusses advances in teleremote control systems for mining equipment. It describes three levels of teleremote control - line-of-sight control, extended line-of-sight control, and full load-haul-dump control. Line-of-sight control allows the operator to control equipment from up to 200 meters away if they have direct line of sight. Extended line-of-sight control uses more advanced controls and feedback to allow operation beyond direct line of sight. Full load-haul-dump control provides the capability for remote control of the entire loading and hauling cycle without requiring autonomous operation.
A SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROLLING OF DAMS ijpla
The technological advancement of the current era has affected the processes of the most of the economic
and social related businesses. The aims of this advancement are to serve and make human life more
comfortable. However, there are still lots of areas in our daily life where manual processes are used.
Taking as an example in the water control and management systems, where many authorities use manual
systems for water control and management. Especially nowadays most of the countries are still using
manual system for controlling and monitoring the dams. Due to the complicated and time consuming
process in a manual system, a model for Remote Monitoring and Controlling of Dams is proposed that uses
remote control technology, linked to the web technology, to attain great success in monitoring and
controlling water levels in managing dams. This paper is to present a new solution which it is to implement
a proposed system called as RMCD “Remote Monitoring and Controlling of Dams”. With the proposed
system it will allow the user to control and monitor the dams remotely which it is saving a lot of efforts,
reducing the cost and also increasing the monitoring quality as the users are going to use automated
system rather than using of manual system
A SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROLLING OF DAMS ijpla
The technological advancement of the current era has affected the processes of the most of the economic and social related businesses. The aims of this advancement are to serve and make human life more comfortable. However, there are still lots of areas in our daily life where manual processes are used. Taking as an example in the water control and management systems, where many authorities use manual systems for water control and management. Especially nowadays most of the countries are still using manual system for controlling and monitoring the dams. Due to the complicated and time consuming process in a manual system, a model for Remote Monitoring and Controlling of Dams is proposed that uses remote control technology, linked to the web technology, to attain great success in monitoring and controlling water levels in managing dams. This paper is to present a new solution which it is to implement a proposed system called as RMCD “Remote Monitoring and Controlling of Dams”. With the proposed system it will allow the user to control and monitor the dams remotely which it is saving a lot of efforts, reducing the cost and also increasing the monitoring quality as the users are going to use automated system rather than using of manual system.
Outdoor Equipment Tracking customer stories from Extronics AdvanceSusie Marriott
See the value that AeroScout outdoor equipment tracking solutions have brought to our industrial customers; get better visibility to optimise workflows.
See the value that AeroScout worker safety solutions have brought to our industrial customers; safeguard workers, track contractors, and increase accountability.
AOM provides real-time monitoring of on-board systems and personnel safety for vessels through an easy-to-use web interface. This solution helps improve safety, maintenance, and compliance for tug boats, shipping companies, and oil rigs. The technology transmits data from vessels anywhere in the world via cellular or satellite networks. AOM also offers an innovative personnel tracking system that allows 24/7 monitoring of crew locations up to 10 times per second, improving emergency response times.
The mooring process for bunker deliveries can be time-consuming, costly, and dangerous. Mampaey Offshore Industries has developed an autonomous mooring system called DOCKLOCK to address these issues. DOCKLOCK uses magnetic arms that can attach to ship hulls and maintain connection autonomously during bunkering. It provides real-time information on mooring forces and allows bunkering to proceed faster and safer than traditional mooring methods. After successful trials, DOCKLOCK is now ready for commercial use and several companies have expressed interest in its efficiency and safety benefits.
Autonomous shipping is the future of the maritime industry.
A ship’s ability to monitor its own health, establish and communicate what is around it and make decisions based on that information is vital to the development of autonomous operations
Wilhelmsen and KONGSBERG joined forces to take the next step in autonomous shipping by offering a complete value chain for autonomous ships, from design and development, to control systems, logistics services and vessel operations.
The document discusses the development of autonomous ships. It describes several autonomous shipping projects including the world's first autonomous shipping company established by Wilhelmsen and KONGSBERG, and Rolls-Royce's partnership with Google to create smarter autonomous ships using machine learning. It also discusses Yara Birkeland, the world's first fully electric and autonomous container ship, and a demonstration of the world's first fully autonomous ferry in Finland. The document outlines some of the key technologies needed for autonomous ships including advanced sensor modules, deep sea navigation systems, remote maneuvering support systems, and engine monitoring and control systems. It describes the role of shore control centers in monitoring and assisting autonomous ships.
This document is a letter of transmittal for a final report on a robotics project involving an automated baggage transportation system. It introduces the project of using robotic arms instead of baggage handlers to move luggage from conveyor belts to airplanes. It also includes declarations of authorship, an executive summary, and sections on team management, design plans, results, strategies, and conclusions of the project report.
The document discusses the use of a proximity detection system called "ShiftBoss" at the Moolarben Coal Mine. The system uses antennas and base stations to track equipment locations and warn operators if they get too close to other vehicles or hazardous areas. It allows silent communication between trucks and excavators and text messaging. While it provides warnings of potential hazards, it also has drawbacks like false positives, relying on "dumb" bubble technology, and potential to decrease operator attentiveness over time. The mine is evaluating whether current proximity detection technologies are suitable for their needs and how to best incorporate all vehicles and maintain safety.
Straddle carriers are commonly used at ports to transport containers but often experience accidents. To reduce accidents, ports can implement training programs to ensure only authorized operators drive the carriers. Access control systems using ID cards can restrict carrier operation to only trained operators and provide an audit trail of usage. Installing LED floodlights improves visibility and safety compared to traditional lights.
This document discusses ways to reduce accidents involving straddle carriers at ports. Straddle carriers are popular for container handling but traffic incidents are common due to fast-paced work in varied conditions. The document recommends implementing training and authorization for operators, restricting access to only authorized operators through a centralized ID card system, addressing fatigue issues, and installing LED floodlights for better visibility to improve safety. Common causes of straddle carrier accidents identified include collisions with other vehicles and equipment due to poor visibility. Implementing recommendations around operator authorization and monitoring, access controls, lighting improvements, and fatigue management can help ports achieve their goal of zero accidents.
Reducing Straddle Carrier accidents at the Portiosrjce
IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE) is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal that provides rapid publication (within a month) of articles in all areas of mechanical and civil engineering and its applications. The journal welcomes publications of high quality papers on theoretical developments and practical applications in mechanical and civil engineering. Original research papers, state-of-the-art reviews, and high quality technical notes are invited for publications.
Accident prevention and traffic control at hill stations ppt.pptxnanthakumark6
The document proposes using machine learning and computer vision to help prevent accidents at hill stations. Cameras would monitor traffic and OpenCV would detect any non-moving vehicles, indicating an accident. If an accident is detected, a signal would alert drivers at entrances to avoid that route until the issue is cleared. The system aims to reduce accidents and traffic issues caused by incidents in hairpin bends. It would use a one-stage detection algorithm in OpenCV to identify vehicles and prevent accidents and congestion.
This document describes controlling a two-direction traffic light using a PLC. It discusses using timers, ladder logic programming, and designing a system with four stages - all red, pole 1 green, pole 2 green, pole 3 green - that repeats continuously. The system was successfully implemented with sensors interfaced with a PLC module to synchronize the traffic light process.
This document describes a proposed automated elevator system with overload alert. The system uses infrared sensors and a microcontroller to detect the number of passengers entering and leaving the elevator. A 7-segment display shows the current passenger count. An alarm buzzes if too many passengers enter. The goal is to prevent elevator breakdowns from overloading and ensure passenger safety. Components include a microcontroller, sensors, displays and buzzers. Flow charts show the logic and block diagrams illustrate the system design. Simulation and testing showed the system working as intended to accurately count passengers and alert if limits are exceeded.
The document discusses improving the performance of Del Monte's cascade layer picking (CLP) line. The CLP line currently picks around 591 cases per hour but was predicted to pick around 1000 cases per hour. The objective is to study the CLP line and propose process improvements to increase the cases picked per hour. A local genetic algorithm was developed and applied, improving performance to 623 cases per hour by reducing operator travel distances. Other improvements like purchasing additional warehouse space were also pursued to further optimize the CLP line.
Embracing Aerial Robotics in the Oil and Gas SectorManaswiMumbarkar
Discover how aerial robotics redefine oil and gas practices, enhancing safety & precision. Explore the future of robotic applications in this transformative industry.
The document discusses Professor James Reason's "Swiss cheese model" of accident causation, which uses slices of Swiss cheese with holes to represent weaknesses and barriers in systems that can lead to accidents if the holes align. It provides examples of technologies like Sky-Trax's vehicle tracking and warning systems and Crown Equipment's anti-slip traction control that address individual weaknesses and improve barriers to help prevent accidents in materials handling. Maintaining a total safety culture that seeks to eliminate weaknesses is key to reducing accident opportunities.
This document discusses advances in teleremote control systems for mining equipment. It describes three levels of teleremote control - line-of-sight control, extended line-of-sight control, and full load-haul-dump control. Line-of-sight control allows the operator to control equipment from up to 200 meters away if they have direct line of sight. Extended line-of-sight control uses more advanced controls and feedback to allow operation beyond direct line of sight. Full load-haul-dump control provides the capability for remote control of the entire loading and hauling cycle without requiring autonomous operation.
A SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROLLING OF DAMS ijpla
The technological advancement of the current era has affected the processes of the most of the economic
and social related businesses. The aims of this advancement are to serve and make human life more
comfortable. However, there are still lots of areas in our daily life where manual processes are used.
Taking as an example in the water control and management systems, where many authorities use manual
systems for water control and management. Especially nowadays most of the countries are still using
manual system for controlling and monitoring the dams. Due to the complicated and time consuming
process in a manual system, a model for Remote Monitoring and Controlling of Dams is proposed that uses
remote control technology, linked to the web technology, to attain great success in monitoring and
controlling water levels in managing dams. This paper is to present a new solution which it is to implement
a proposed system called as RMCD “Remote Monitoring and Controlling of Dams”. With the proposed
system it will allow the user to control and monitor the dams remotely which it is saving a lot of efforts,
reducing the cost and also increasing the monitoring quality as the users are going to use automated
system rather than using of manual system
A SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROLLING OF DAMS ijpla
The technological advancement of the current era has affected the processes of the most of the economic and social related businesses. The aims of this advancement are to serve and make human life more comfortable. However, there are still lots of areas in our daily life where manual processes are used. Taking as an example in the water control and management systems, where many authorities use manual systems for water control and management. Especially nowadays most of the countries are still using manual system for controlling and monitoring the dams. Due to the complicated and time consuming process in a manual system, a model for Remote Monitoring and Controlling of Dams is proposed that uses remote control technology, linked to the web technology, to attain great success in monitoring and controlling water levels in managing dams. This paper is to present a new solution which it is to implement a proposed system called as RMCD “Remote Monitoring and Controlling of Dams”. With the proposed system it will allow the user to control and monitor the dams remotely which it is saving a lot of efforts, reducing the cost and also increasing the monitoring quality as the users are going to use automated system rather than using of manual system.
Outdoor Equipment Tracking customer stories from Extronics AdvanceSusie Marriott
See the value that AeroScout outdoor equipment tracking solutions have brought to our industrial customers; get better visibility to optimise workflows.
See the value that AeroScout worker safety solutions have brought to our industrial customers; safeguard workers, track contractors, and increase accountability.
AOM provides real-time monitoring of on-board systems and personnel safety for vessels through an easy-to-use web interface. This solution helps improve safety, maintenance, and compliance for tug boats, shipping companies, and oil rigs. The technology transmits data from vessels anywhere in the world via cellular or satellite networks. AOM also offers an innovative personnel tracking system that allows 24/7 monitoring of crew locations up to 10 times per second, improving emergency response times.
The mooring process for bunker deliveries can be time-consuming, costly, and dangerous. Mampaey Offshore Industries has developed an autonomous mooring system called DOCKLOCK to address these issues. DOCKLOCK uses magnetic arms that can attach to ship hulls and maintain connection autonomously during bunkering. It provides real-time information on mooring forces and allows bunkering to proceed faster and safer than traditional mooring methods. After successful trials, DOCKLOCK is now ready for commercial use and several companies have expressed interest in its efficiency and safety benefits.
1. In Canada, under-
ground mining is kept
safe through constant
vigilance and intensive
training; any accident
or fatality is one too
many. Mining automa-
tion can help increase
safety by moving
workers away from
the worksite.
s a mining engineer you’ve
done everything you can to
make the underground work-
place as safe as possible and
you’ve trained the workforce to be
extremely safety conscious, but you’re
always looking for more ways to keep
your people safe. In the future, new
forms of mining automation will help
increase safety and reduce risk through
additional opportunities to move work-
ers into controlled environments. ELAP,
the Emulsion Loading Automation Pro-
ject, is performing the research needed to
learn how to automate the underground
loading of explosives and thereby help
increase worker safety.
In simple terms, underground mining
involves:
N drilling blast holes;
N pumping explosives into these holes;
N inserting primers and detonators;
N blasting the ring;
N mucking out or removing the broken
rock;
N repeating this process until the work
plan or project is completed.
Automation, in various forms, is being
developed for many of these process
steps. Tamrock Sweden, for instance, has
shown multi-shift unattended operation
on their underground drilling equipment
and Caterpillar USA, through their
Elphinstone division in Australia, is
beginning to offer autonomous opera-
tion for loading blasted material.
Loading explosives into a ring of
production holes is still a manual
process, however. Depending on the
mining method, blast holes can be up
to 150 metres long with more than 20
holes in a ring. An emulsion loader, for
this type of operation, will hold up to
4000 kg of explosives.
Ontario has an excellent mining safe-
ty record, but accidents can happen.
Removing miners from the worksite dur-
ing the explosives loading process will
significantly increase safety.
With drilling and mucking becoming
more automated, MacLean Engineering
and a number of partners decided to work
together to develop automation techniques
for loading explosives (see sidebar).
The ELAP Project
An emulsion loader is a vehicle that can
be driven from a service bay to the work-
site. The vehicle holds an emulsion tank,
a hose reel with enough hose to reach
the end of a blast hole, a sophisticated
pumping system capable of changing the
density of the emulsion as it is being
placed in the hole, a local operator con-
trol console, and as a number of other
computer and support systems includ-
ing fire suppression.
Removing people from the explosive
loading worksite can be achieved by
moving the operator’s control console
down the drift or mine tunnel once the
vehicle is in place or by allowing the
emulsion loader to be controlled by an
operator on the surface. Another pos-
sibility is to develop an intelligent sys-
tem capable of acting like a human oper-
ator and autonomously controlling the
emulsion loading process. In ELAP, all
three control methods will be developed
and implemented.
The remote, line-of-sight or around-
the-corner control console will have all
the capabilities of the on-board local con-
sole. This remote console will use in-air
802.11, an ethernet standard. Ethernet
communications provide full motion
video, and will allow operators to find and
load all blast holes. The emulsion loader
vehicle will still need to be driven to the
worksite but the operator will be able to
immediately move to a safe location to
control the emulsion loading process. Both
MacLean and AMS have technology that
can be adapted for this remote terminal.
AMS has implemented surface-based
teleoperation control of load-haul-dump
(LHD) units for removing muck. This
type of technology has been demonstrated
in a number of Inco mines and is now
being used extensively at the Kali and
Salz mines in Germany. For an LHD, the
teleoperator console has all the capabili-
ty of an on-board operator’s control con-
sole. In the ELAP application, this tech-
nology will be modified to allow the tele-
operator to tram the emulsion loader
from the underground service bay to the
worksite as well as to control the emulsion
loading process. Using this technology,
the operator would not need to visit the
worksite at all and would, therefore, be
completely safe.
The third possibility, an intelligent
autonomous emulsion loader, offers the
opportunity of increasing safety for the
underground remote operator, as well as
improving the overall efficiency and pro-
ductivity of both the remote operator and
the surface-based teleoperator.
Intelligent System
A human operator understands how to
load blast holes, what to do if the emul-
sion hose gets stuck, the best retraction
rate for the hose under specific conditions,
when to start and stop pumping emul-
sion, how to move the hose efficiently
from hole to hole, etc. The human is an
expert in the complete emulsion loading
process but sometimes needs assistance
and asks another miner to help complete
the task. The ELAP intelligent system
being designed by C-CORE, called the
Loading Process Supervisor (LPS), will
act like a human operator even to the
extent of calling for help when it encoun-
ters an unknown situation.
The LPS developers have built up a
complete diagram of the emulsion load-
ing process and are now converting the
diagram into Java. Just as a human oper-
ator does, the LPS will be able to “look
for” and “see” blast holes by using the
robotic boom developed by ISE and
MacLean and a vision system developed
by Orica and C-CORE.The LPS will then
determine if the holes are in the right place
using an as-drilled map and test the holes
for correct length by inserting the emulsion
hose. Once the blast holes have been locat-
ed and the length verified, the LPS will
control the Orica emulsion pumping sys-
tem to fill the holes with emulsion. The
LPS will repeat the hole-filling process
until all the holes in the ring are filled.
There is no question that ELAP is an
extremely ambitious collaborative research
project. Modifying existing technology to
create the remote and teleoperator con-
soles is not trivial, but the LPS is an intel-
ligent system that has never been pro-
duced before. Mining, however, is an
extremely harsh environment and testing
new systems under “real” conditions is
absolutely critical. ELAP will not be an
exception to this rule. After system inte-
gration is completed in September 2002,
ELAP will be tested at Inco’s 175 Research
Mine and, if these tests are successful,
there is a possibility that ELAP could be
tested in a production mine.
Even though the remote operator is pro-
tected by operating the emulsion loader at
a distance, using the LPS to automatical-
ly load emulsion into a production ring
will significantly decrease the need for the
operator to go back or check out a hole
that needs to be filled. In addition, for both
the remote and teleoperator, since there is
an automatic system filling the holes, they
can increase mining productivity by doing
other tasks related to the job at hand.
There is no question that, through
the use of intelligent systems and the
adaptation of some existing technolo-
gies, ELAP has the potential to signifi-
cantly increase safety for underground
workers loading explosives.
However, the Loading Process
Supervisor is an intelligent piece of soft-
ware on a computer system acting like a
human operator. The ELAP team will
need to do a control HazOp review on
the LPS to ensure that it will not be able
to harm the workers it is intended to help
and protect.
Andrew Young, BSc, is the ELAP pro-
ject manager for DYI Technologies. He
can be reached at ahyoung@sym
patico.ca.
E N G I N E E R I N G D I M E N S I O N S – M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 0 2 21E N G I N E E R I N G D I M E N S I O N S – M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 0 220
SAFETYENGINEERING
S
A
Project designed to reduce
risk to miners
b y A n d r e w Yo u n g , B S c
ELAP: a collaborative process
ELAP is a collaborative project managed under
the auspices of Precarn,an Ottawa-based,not-
for-profit R&D industrial consortium that funds
collaborative projects in intelligent systems.
None of the project participants could accom-
plish the project outcomes by themselves.Each
has strengths and capabilities essential to the
success of the project:
N Automated Mining Systems (AMS) of
Aurora, Ont., supplies products and ser-
vices for teleoperation and control of under-
ground infrastructure control systems and
mobile equipment.
N C-CORE, St John’s, Nfld., is an applied
research and development organization
with a strong focus on intelligent systems
for harsh environments and resource indus-
tries.
N DYI Technologies, Ottawa, manages high-
tech automation projects.
N International Submarine Engineering (ISE)
is a Vancouver, BC-based company that
develops and implements harsh environ-
ment robotics for underwater, surface and
space applications.
N Inco Limited of Sudbury, is one of the
world’s premier mining and metals com-
panies and the world’s second largest pro-
ducer of nickel.
N MacLean Engineering of Collingwood,Ont.,
supplies advanced technology, equipment
and solutions to the mining industry around
the world.
N Orica a globalAustralian company is a lead-
ing supplier of commercial explosives,blast-
ing technology and related services.
Workers at Brunswick Mining and Smelting manually load explosives into pro-
duction holes, using a Maclean emulsion loader. Maclean and several partners
are working on a project to automate this dangerous process.