A look at some technologies and systems which can help make your shift changes as smooth and painless as possible...

Shift changes in underground mining operations are critical periods of time that can significantly impact productivity, safety, and efficiency. Shift changes lay the foundation for each working day and issues here can make or break a shift. Due to the unique challenges of working in ever-deepening, confined and often hazardous environments, managing shift changes in underground mines requires effective planning and coordination.

Leveraging technology can greatly enhance underground shift change effectiveness, improving communication, ensuring smooth handovers and maximising operational efficiency.

In this blog, we look at some of the different technologies and systems which can help make your shift changes as smooth and painless as possible.

1. Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS)

• Precise Tracking: RTLS allows for precise tracking of personnel and equipment within an underground environment. There are multiple ways of doing this including using RFID, WiFi or Bluetooth. This is crucial during shift changes, as supervisors can quickly identify the location of incoming and outgoing teams, ensuring smooth handovers and minimising delays.
• Optimised Resource Allocation: By knowing the exact location of equipment, supervisors can allocate resources more effectively. For example, knowing the exact location of a drill means it can be quickly prepared for the next shift, minimising standby time. Solutions exist from companies like Epiroc, Newtrax (Sandvik) and MineARC.

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/red-and-black-truck-in-tunnel-F2iCP_knaj8

2. Digital Communication Platforms

• Seamless Information Exchange: Digital platforms facilitate the seamless exchange of crucial information between shifts. These platforms can include mobile apps, messaging systems or dedicated task management software. Critical information like equipment status, ongoing tasks, safety hazards, and production targets can be easily communicated, ensuring continuity and efficiency.
• Real-Time Updates: Digital platforms can also provide real-time updates on production progress, safety incidents or equipment malfunctions. This enables prompt decision-making and a swift response to address any issues that may arise.
• Reduced Miscommunication: By providing a centralised platform for communication, the risk of miscommunication or information loss is significantly reduced. This is especially important in high-risk environments like underground mines.

Providers of these platforms include Pitram and Optimine (soon to be DeswikOP)

3. Automated Reporting and Data Analytics to Measure Success

• Data-Driven Insights: Automated reporting systems collect and analyse data from various sources, including production metrics, equipment performance, and safety incidents. This data can be used to identify trends, bottlenecks and areas for improvement. This enables data-driven decision-making.
• Performance Tracking: Shift performance can be tracked over time, allowing for comparison between shifts and identification of best practices. This can help improve overall efficiency and productivity.
• The correct KPIs: Useful KPIs can, amongst others, be:
  • First and last load
  • Shift start to portal time
  • Cage to face time
  • Time underground

These metrics can be a great way of monitoring and trending the impact of shift changes. The above mentioned RTLSs can be a great source of data for these metrics. This often is data that gets overlooked when considering productivity metrics.

4. Shift Handover Process and Procedures

• Standardised Handover Procedures: Establish clear and consistent handover protocols for all shifts using shift handover forms. This ensures all necessary information is communicated, including equipment status, production targets, safety concerns, and ongoing tasks.
• Pre-Shift Briefings: Conduct pre-shift briefings to discuss upcoming tasks, potential hazards, and any changes in procedures. This helps align the incoming shift with the outgoing shift’s priorities.
• Overlapping Shifts: Consider implementing overlapping shifts where outgoing crew members briefly work alongside incoming crew members. This allows for a more thorough handover and transfer of knowledge.

5. Ventilation Monitoring and Control Optimisation

• Remote Monitoring: Blasting frequently coincides with shift changes, resulting in extended downtime while waiting for gas levels to return to safe quantities. If permitted by regulations, remote monitoring eliminates the need for manual measurements done by sending personnel underground, saving time and enhancing safety. Real-time monitoring of gas and temperature readings enables remote control of ventilation systems, minimising the waiting period between blasting and reentry, streamlining operations and reducing downtime. Alternative explosives could be trialled and monitored to see if improved formulations could reduce or eliminate harmful gases.
• Remote Control: This means that ventilation can be adjusted and optimised remotely, based on the data collected by the monitoring system. By minimising the waiting period between blasting and reentry, remote monitoring can cut gas delay times. It also has significant benefits in terms of cost savings due to optimised energy demand.

5. Autonomous and Teleremote control

• Full Autonomous: Autonomous drilling, loading or trucking can be a great way of maintaining production during a shift change.
• Teleremote: Alternatively, equipment running in teleremote mode from the surface can remove the need for operator travel time and can turn shift changes from hours to minutes. For example, RCT’s ControlMaster® Teleremote system led to an operational efficiency improvement of 16% at Barrick Gold’s Porgera Joint Venture Papua New Guinea by utilising the system effectively over shift change. 
• Reduced Risk: Remote operations have the added benefit of reducing the need for personnel to be physically present in hazardous areas, improving safety.

By leveraging these technologies, mining companies can create safer, more efficient, and more productive shift changes. The key is to choose the right technologies for your specific needs, implement them effectively, and provide adequate training to your workforce.

Have we missed anything out? We look forward to hearing from you!

Author: Jonny Witter