Epiroc installed AutoNav Tele on an Aramine L350D loader operating at a mine in Australia. | Credit: Aramine
The Reward Gold Mine site at Hill End, New South Wales, Australia, is deploying a new autonomous loader. The Vertex-operated mine is using the Aramine L350D mining loader, equipped with Epiroc’s AutoNav Tele software from partner RCT.
The L350D is a diesel-powered small underground loader that is designed for narrow-vein mining, making it suitable for underground mining operations.
RCT works to make mining safer and again profitable
The historic gold mining town lay dormant for decades after mining operations ceased around 2010. The town is northwest of Sydney, on the east coast of Australia. Today, the site is undergoing a revival with the construction of a brand-new plant tailored for small-scale mining.
“This is more than just a machine installation,” said Owen Perrott, RCT’s East Coast branch manager. “We’re introducing technology that can access areas previously unreachable, in this narrow-vein mine, unlocking gold reserves left behind for decades.”
With the Aramine machine, Vertex aims to efficiently extract gold from narrow, hard-to-reach veins, demonstrating the potential for innovative technology in small-scale mining operations.
RCT, formerly Remote Control Technologies, said its AutoNav Tele allows remote operators to control the loader with the same functionality from a safe location, removing them from the machine while providing access to narrow veins.
AutoNav Tele moves operators to a secure, climate-controlled environment, away from hazardous zones. | Credit: Epiroc
AutoNav enables a path to full autonomy
AutoNav currently offers five levels of autonomy:
Level 1 – Line-of-sight control
Level 2 – Tele-remote
Level 3 – Semi-automation
Level 4 – Multi-machine automation
Level 5 – Fleet automation
RCT said this project is the first time it has installed its technology on a Vertex-owned Aramine loader. With the success of this project, the Epiroc unit said it hopes to replicate the setup for other mine owners.
The installation was challenging due to the machine’s size and the limited available space, and it required the team to collaborate with Aramine to ensure the machine met Australian standards. In addition, RCT designed a custom “mini” AutoNav hut that it delivered to the site to cater to the client’s specific needs.
Operators use mini AutoNav hut
AutoNav enables faster shift changeovers, reduces idle time, and maximizes output. Operators can remain above ground and don’t have to spend travel time traversing underground shafts to arrive at the work site. They can simply switch out of the operating chair.
The mini hut is not typically used at most sites, as it is approximately half the size of a standard AutoNav Centre. This introduced space constraints for the hardware, but Vertex needed a mini hut to accommodate its mine structure and small portal.
“Due to the demand I have been receiving from other sites for smaller hut offerings, I thought it would be a good opportunity to design a layout for one, from the ground up,” said Perrott.
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