SURFACE AUTOMATION
connected infrastructure, as well a possible
decrease in safety requirements because of
eliminating immediate human participation in
the mining work zone.
The system consists of the following components:
n The Program Platform (including the Control
Centre and collision prevention software for
autonomous vehicles)
n The dump-truck autonomous and remote
control module
n The excavator remote control module
n The loader remote control module
n The dozer remote control module
n The drill autonomous and remote control
module
n Module of optimisation and automatic dispatch
n Design documentation.
The innovative character of the autonomous
and remote-controlled dump truck modules is
found in the “unique algorithm” of the dump
truck automated movement which is "trained" by
a pilot driver. The algorithm takes into
consideration the specific features of the mining
machine and adapts it to the real mine
conditions. As a rule, VIST states that
autonomously operated vehicles currently run
more slowly than those being operated by a
human being. This is due to various reasons,
including high requirements for safety (even a
small error in the object recognition when
running at high speed could cause a crash), and
issues of installing computers powerful enough
onboard for required video image processing
etc. From a practical point of view VIST says that
this lower speed of autonomous controlled
vehicles could actually entail productivity declines.
The innovation point for VIST at this stage is
that it is possible to correct the non-optimum or
erroneous actions of the operator. Moreover, the
modules will make it possible to carry out some
routine operations automatically.
The complex modules are universal so will be
able to be installed on machinery of any kind, so
are OEM agnostic. This will make it possible to
expand the product market, as nearly all mines
run mixed fleets.
The product has a modular structure
The already trialled autonomous
BELAZ 75131 130 t truck
with product deployment consisting of
installing the Platform software and a
full or partial list of modules.
VIST sees the key feature of the
product in terms of having a serious
commercial advantage is in the
personnel absence in the mining work
zone and the ability to control essential
parts of operations completely without
human participation.
The project involves testing of
autonomous vehicles, including within
dispatch systems in real conditions of
mining production. There are as yet no
examples of the use of fully
autonomous vehicles in surface mining
in Russia and the CIS countries. The introduction
The end of the project is due in December 2018
would radically change the technology of
and target indicators are to be achieved on the
production and the organisation of labour in the
basis of the development of the technology to
Russian and CIS mining enterprises and foster
increase technical availability, increase truck
the emergence of new modern technology of
performance in terms of tonne kilometres per
mining production, transportation and processing
hour, and prove the reduction in the cost of
of minerals.
transportation using dump trucks. The creation of
Key participants in the Intelligent Mine project
areas of autonomous mining in open pits will
include coal miner SUEK, which is in the process
allow the testing of the technical and
of preparing a testing area in one of its open pits
technological KPIs of the system.
in Siberia.
BELAZ itself continues to make improvements
VIST Group is developing a stand-alone ADAS
to its on-board technology on its trucks. Some
and software for autonomous dump trucks as
trucks are now equipped with a new option – the
well as creating a centralised fleet management
laser active-impact vision system LAISV-01. This
system to work with autonomous mining
system is a co-development between BELAZ and
equipment. It is also conducting engineering
the B.I. Stepanov Institute of Physics at the
tests in real mine production conditions. On the
National Academy of Sciences of The Republic of
truck project it is working closely with truck OEM,
Belarus. LAISV-01 transfers the usual picture of
BELAZ on the production of heavy-duty
the road conditions and local environment in real
autonomous dump trucks, with 130 t models
time on a screen installed in the cab but contrary
already having been demonstrated. BELAZ sister
to infrared cameras the image with the new vision
company KAMAZ is developing lighter duty
system can be generated not only in the dark but
autonomous mining trucks.
also in conditions of limited visbility (fog, rain,
Finally, IPKON RAS (Institute of Effective
snow etc). BELAZ states that LAISV-01 guarantees
Utilisation of Mineral Resources of the Russian
safety of driving in any weather and therefore
Academy of Science) is conducting research and
makes BELAZ mining dump trucks effectively
work related to the change in the regulatory
weatherproof. The system has been successfully
framework and the rules of mining operations
tested at the factory and has passed operational
using robotic technology.
tests at Apatit’s Centralny phosphate mine. IM
SEPTEMBER 2016 | International Mining