Making Mining Safer and Smarter: Mining’s biggest problems solved by Aussie inventions
- 14 October 2022
The hazards of mining are many, and well-documented.
Safety frameworks – from individual training and PPE to procedural and legislative frameworks, through to technological safeguards – are all designed to mitigate human error, environmental hazards, and machinery failures.
Together, these frameworks work together to prevent serious incidents where any previous measure proves ineffective.
As technologies improve and innovation permeates into every aspect of mine operations, worker safety is of paramount importance.
The tools that deliver new safeguards today become the standards of tomorrow, and many of these are invented and manufactured by Aussie miners who have faced the hazards themselves.
With IMARC 2022 fast approaching, here we preview a few of the most cutting-edge, Australian-made mining technology advancements on display this year:
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) by Murray Engineering
On display at Murray Engineering Stand F02.
Following the development of high-power DC chargers, Australian company Murray Engineering has unveiled a new ultra-fast recharging battery electric light vehicle (BEV) designed and built in Australia to handle the toughest underground mining conditions.
At a time when the mining industry is looking at electric vehicles to both reduce their CO2 emissions and protect the health of workers through reduced diesel particulate exposure, the BEV has great potential to become a global standard.
Proudly developed and manufactured in WA, the Murray Engineering BEV overcomes common industry challenges and shortfalls in other electric light vehicles by eliminating long recharging times. Dr Max Ong, Innovation & Technology manager at Murray Engineering, said, “Our BEV’s state-of-the-art Lithium-Titanate battery composition is safe, robust, and dependable for the harsh mining environment, whilst also delivering ultra-fast recharging times to enable maximum productivity. Murray’s integration of such innovative BEV technology into the most globally popular 4WD vehicle in mining is leading the decarbonisation revolution for mine utility vehicles”.
Safety Spear by Rattle Jack
On display at Murray Engineering Stand E01
The Australian-made and designed RattleJack SafetySpear™ protects personnel and equipment by plugging the drill hole with an innovative, high-impact absorbing system.
Cost-effective, durable, safe, and fast to install, its simple design ensures path blockage of abandoned production drill rods in the unlikely event that they work free and fall.
The spears’ catch/control design ensures that any free-falling drill rod is retained within the overhead blast hole and cannot escape to impale any personnel or machinery underneath.
Installation is achieved with standard production drilling equipment enabling the hazard to be minimised without delay.
With a lightweight design, the SafetySpear™ has minimal risk of manual handling injuries and includes easy-to-follow pictorial instructions for a simple installation process for operators of all experience levels.
JumboGuard by YUMARR Automation
On display at Murray Engineering Stand F01
JumboGuard is an automatic boom isolation system that protects the people working with underground drill rigs. The laser scanner-based system monitors the movement of personell and stops all boom movement immediately if someone enters the machine’s danger zone. JumboGuard works reliably and safely with consistent accuracy in all environmental conditions such as water, heat, water spray, dust and vibrations.
Developed in Australia, JumboGuard can be retrofitted to all types of underground drilling equipment including rock and cable bolters and face drill rigs.
JumboGuard, which has been described as a breakthrough safety system for underground mines, has won several prestigious awards for YUMARR Automation and has already proven effective at mines in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory.
RefugeME Underground Refuge Chambers by Wattrix
On display at Murray Engineering Stand F01
With simple activation, RefugeME underground Refuge Chambers provide a habitable, respirable atmosphere until release or rescue from an underground emergency.
“These units are designed to operate independently of external power and services supply”, says Dr Ong.
“Each unit features full network connectivity, digital gas monitoring, air scrubbing, climate control, CCTV video surveillance, and two-way video communication”.
Transport of the refuge chambers in and around mine sites is also made safe and simple with the availability of skids, forklift slots, and lifting lugs.
Designed by Wattrix and constructed in Australia by Murray Engineering, RefugeME Underground Mine Refuge Chambers are compliant with all applicable guidelines and are constructed in various sizes to accommodate 4, 6, 12, 14, and 20 personnel.
Conclusion
With safety standards evolving at an urgent pace, and the decarbonisation revolution in full flight, investing in mine site safety and improving working conditions is investing in a company’s future.
Companies boasting a progressive attitude towards increasing safety standards through the use of leading-edge technologies will undoubtedly be best placed to encourage and retain their workforce, and profit for years to come.
Mine safety practices are constantly evolving. The tools that deliver new safeguards today become the standards of tomorrow.
These innovative Aussie technologies outlined here are ready for the future.
Media Enquiries
Greg Pratt (Murray Engineering)
Phone: +61 437 923 625
Email: [email protected]
Shanae Curtis (Murray Engineering)
Phone: +61 8 6459 7825
Email: [email protected]
