TOMRA

A new, free-to-download publication outlines the different ways today’s advanced digital sorting data services can help mining operations stay in control at all times, take quicker action when necessary, and build a stronger collaboration across teams and departments.

Sensor-based sorting machines inspect every single piece of material that passes through the processing line, collecting a wealth of data. The digitalization of sorting-related services is opening up a world of new possibilities. The new e-book, titled ‘The Benefits of Data-driven Quality Control’, focuses on how to efficiently produce high-quality product with maximum control and minimum waste.

From a quality management perspective, every sensor in the sorters is a valuable source of information about the products that pass through them. Today’s sorting data services turn sorters into connected devices and provide a secure, near-live monitoring dashboard for the mine’s sorting lines. Mining processors are able to continuously monitor and optimize the sorting line’s output quality.

On-site observation, manual sampling and time-consuming reporting and communication become a thing of the past:  the sorter itself provides a constant feed of information based on continuous product sampling on every object.

The standard approach of regularly checking metrics on individual machines provides ‘snapshots’ of the situation at specific moments in time, but do not provide a complete overview. The continuous access to quality data across machines, lines, processes and plants put mineral processors in control all the time. Machine operators are able to move fast as required, responding to changes in material composition on the line to ensure consistently high quality of the product.

A modern sorting data platform can be a powerful quality management tool by turning the data into actionable information by processing, enriching and visualizing it in easy-to-read graphs, creating customized reports and comparisons that provide valuable insights.

Automatically recorded, remotely accessible, objective data sets are available on any computer or mobile device, easily accessible by all members of the team, streamlining information sharing and collaboration. Managers can monitor remotely distant or difficult-to-reach mining sites from their offices, enabling them to make operational and business decisions based on experience and hard facts, also comparing and benchmarking data from different sites.

All these features enable mineral processors to optimize their decision-making and efficiency, ultimately increasing the profitability of their operation. These benefits are accessible through TOMRA Insight, the cloud-based data platform available to TOMRA machine users as a subscription-based service.

‘The Benefits of Data-driven Quality Control’ can be downloaded here free-of-charge.

About TOMRA Mining

TOMRA Mining designs and manufactures sensor-based sorting technologies for the global mineral processing and mining industries.

As the world market leader in sensor-based ore sorting, TOMRA is responsible for developing and engineering cutting-edge technology made to withstand harsh mining environments. TOMRA maintains its rigorous focus on quality and future-oriented thinking with technology tailor-made for mining.

About TOMRA

TOMRA was founded on an innovation in 1972 that began with the design, manufacturing and sale of reverse vending machines (RVMs) for automated collection of used beverage containers. Today TOMRA provides technology-led solutions that enable the circular economy with advanced collection and sorting systems that optimize resource recovery and minimize waste in the food, recycling and mining industries, and is committed to building a more sustainable future.

TOMRA has ~100,000 installations in over 80 markets worldwide and had total revenues of ~10.9 billion NOK in 2021. The Group employs ~4,600 globally and is publicly listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: TOM). For further information about TOMRA, please see www.tomra.com

For more information on TOMRA Mining visit www.tomra.com/mining or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.

Media Contacts:

Nuria Martí                                                                                         Kai Bartram

Director                                                                                                Global Sales Director

Alarcon & Harris PR                                                                         TOMRA Mining

Phone: +34 91 415 30 20                                                               Phone: +49 2630 9150 156

Email: nmarti@alarconyharris.com                                           Email:  TM-info@tomra.com

Web: www.alarconyharris.com                                                  Web : www.tomra.com/mining

During South Africa’s extended national lockdown, aimed at helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Werner Pumps SA is open and able to assist municipalities and contractors to ensure essential services such as sewerage, wastewater treatment and infrastructure maintenance continues.

“At Werner Pumps, our offices and manufacturing facilities have been given to remain open to assist our customers working in essential services, which include sewerage and wastewater infrastructure repair and maintenance,” says Sebastian Werner, Werner Pumps MD. “Proper sanitation is critical to prevent and control the spread of disease.”

This is why the South African government has designated cleaning, sanitation, sewerage and refuse removal as essential services. Werner notes that this includes the maintenance and operation of water-borne sewerage systems, which is what the equipment manufactured by Werner Pumps is designed for. The company designs and manufactures high-pressure jetting and vacuuming equipment, which is also used in other essential service operations, such as controlling fly ash on the coal mines that fuel South Africa’s power stations.

“We are available to service all our customers’ needs, including emergency spare parts supply and repairs, as well as to advise clients and facilitate sales orders for all Werner Pumps products,” he concludes.

Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) started out as a valuable mechanism to warn operators and pedestrians of imminent danger, but today they play even more powerful health and safety roles.

These include gathering and analysing site-specific data that allows management to plan safe and efficient traffic flows. According to Anton Lourens, CEO of leading PDS developer Booyco Electronics, the rapid development of digital communication and sensor technology is opening many doors to higher safety levels.

“PDS can today locate vehicles and personnel in real time, giving mines the ability to recognise patterns in traffic movement,” says Lourens. “From this starting point, traffic management strategies can be developed to keep people away from trackless mining machinery (TMM).”

Importantly, the data collected can identify ‘hot spots’ where potential collisions could occur. This makes a systemic contribution to the mine’s safety, as management can adapt traffic management plans to  create segregation of people from equipment, and equipment from each other. This feeds constructively into the mine’s ongoing risk assessment responsibilities, and provides strong mitigation methods.

“This is giving PDS a vital role in each mine’s code of practice (COP), making these interventions specific rather than generalised,” he says. “Every mine has its own specific traffic conditions and operational requirements, for instance, and PDS helps provide insight into those conditions so that the COP is kept relevant and effective.”

He points to the Booyco Electronics Asset Management System (BEAMS) software suite as an example. This is essentially a central information hub that gives mines the insight they need into operational interactions.

“BEAMS analyses a huge amount of data from vehicles, uncovering important aspects such as unsafe patterns of behaviour,” says Lourens. “This gives management the basis for responding with strategies that mitigate risk and enhance safety.”

He also highlights the growing use of sensor technology in enhancing the health and safety benefits of PDS. These innovations have, as example, added a close-up and more accurate sensing approach to the traditional long-distance detection technology.

“We have designed our CXS range of PDS solutions so that we can readily augment the system architecture with sensors,” he says. “By combining various sensing technologies, we develop flexible solutions that make for safer working environments – as they are specific to customer and operational requirements.”

Lourens reiterates that the application of PDS technology can only be effective when based on a thorough risk assessment. This, he says, will ensure that the mine’s selection of a solution is relevant to their needs and conditions.

“This means a well-planned process that includes careful change management and real engagement with all involved,” he explains. “By taking the required steps, PDS can play a significant role in enhancing health and safety – while providing long-term benefits in productivity.”

Heavy Machinery Appraisal

In the mining sector, situations arise time and again in which assets have to be evaluated. Be it when there is a change of contractor in opencast mining or when technology is to be replaced on a larger scale. Especially when there is a change in ownership or when used construction machinery and transport vehicles are to be replaced, an external valuation or technical inspection is appropriate. Sometimes an appraisal by the supplier of the technology is sufficient. However, it is often the case that each supplier can and wants to evaluate only his own products. It becomes more difficult when someone is needed to evaluate excavators, wheel loaders and mining trucks from different manufacturers and maybe additional processing plants. Here you need an appraiser who has a wide range of experience with different makes. Such an appraiser needs good management as well as technicians in different countries who are also willing to visit a mine in a distant country.

Who can inspect and evaluate mining equipment?

It is good to know that such a service exists. The German company MEVAS specialises in the appraisal and valuation of mining assets and construction machinery. Experienced inspectors are available in various countries and are ready to travel even to remote areas. The team has experience with large excavators, dump trucks, crushing equipment and anything else used in open pit or underground mining. Through the large number of projects already completed, a wealth of experience exists in both the technical analysis of condition and the evaluation of equipment.

How much does a mining-fleet appraisal cost?

The question of the price for evaluating a fleet of mining machines is not so easy to answer. It logically depends on the number of machines and their size. Another important cost factor is the location of the equipment. Which inspectors can be deployed to inspect the machines on site? By what means can the inspectors get into the mine? Are the machines still in use or have they been parked on the side-line for some time? Overall, one can conclude that compared to the value of the machines, the valuation is an insignificant cost factor. When taking over a fleet or buying individual machines, it may well be worthwhile to have the repair costs calculated in their current condition. An experienced valuer can be helpful here.

Why to choose Mevas?

A German management leads since 2006 a team of international inspectors. The team knows about equipment conditions and about valuation. Engineers are familiar with machinery of Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, Sandvik and many other brands. The range of inspected and valuated items reaches up to PC 3000, ZX 1900 CAT 777, larger rock drills, bulldozers up to D10T and any kind of articulated dump trucks.

Experienced Team of Engineers

Mevas has done a couple of asset audits and valuations for quarry, mining and open pit equipment. Engineers have been in Russia on pipeline projects, in African goldfields, in coal mines in Kentucky and on huge oil plantations in Western Africa. Upon request, some projects and clients for which the company is or was active can be named.

For more details visit the website www.mevas.net please. Sample reports can be provided and the management is available to discuss any requirement for machinery appraisal or inspection.