Mining Plus and Byrnecut Collaborate on Technology Solutions to Improve Safety and Efficiency in Underground Mining Operations

The Challenge: Byrnecut faced the costly and dangerous challenge of Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) machines being buried when mucking out stopes with limited visibility. To address this issue, Byrnecut collaborated with Mining Plus to identify and develop a comprehensive solution. This involved leveraging Mining Plus's partnership with Emesent, providers of autonomous SLAM-based LiDAR mapping and data analytics solutions.  

The project required designing, developing, and testing the technology capabilities, ensuring effective integration with existing systems, altering workflows, and providing training for effective change. The final solution included designing a robust bracket for the scanning unit to be mounted onto the LHD, enabling scanning for potential hazards prior to mucking the stope. The result significantly enhancing safety and reduced costs.  

Project Details: Mining Plus recently partnered with Emesent to leverage their autonomous LiDAR mapping solutions, aiming to enhance safety and operational efficiency by reducing the risk of LHDs getting stuck. This collaboration aligns with Mining Plus’s mission to improve operational capabilities through the use of technology. They do this by staying abreast of technology innovations and supporting clients to design holistic technology solutions that deliver practical results.  

Work Conducted: Installing scanners and cabling on loaders, conducting multiple stope scans, and testing connectivity through the Automine network. Successful handheld and mounted scans were performed, demonstrating the system’s capabilities. Various scan configurations were tested to establish baseline settings, and feedback was gathered from operators to refine the Android application used for viewing scans. 

Our Impact: The project resulted in a new Use Case for advanced LiDAR mapping in underground environments to deliver improved safety and reduced risk of future LHDs being buried. Enhanced visibility of stope conditions and potential hazards was achieved, and the feedback from various stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive. The collaboration led to significant improvements in the prototype application and hardware, setting the stage for further advancements in mining automation and safety.