Case Study - Visual Performance Centre to Support Short Interval Control

CLIENT OVERVIEW

Our client is a small-scale miner that operates a shallow dig only open cut mining operation utilising a fleet of 6 trucks in quad configuration to move ore from the pits to the ROM.  Haulage operations run 24/7 for a 9-month operating season.  The mining operations are remote with very limited connectivity to LTE.

THE CHALLENGE

The CEO viewed the haulage operations as a critical success factor in achieving production targets.  Paper systems were used to capture load and performance information which required subsequent administrative activity to compile the reports.  Issuing reports took up to 1.5 shifts to be available to line management.  There was no visibility for the haulage shift supervisor on the in-shift performance of the fleet.

APPROACH

Our approach was to work with the haulage shift supervisors and line management to understand what information was needed to support a short interval control approach.  Prototype dashboards were developed and tested with the stakeholders to confirm form and function. The next step was to identify which data sources were available to replace human generated information. A supporting architecture was developed to support prototype data requirements.

SOLUTION 

The vehicles were fitted with telemetric capabilities for position, vehicle performance and driver identification. Utilising geofences to track some entry and exit and accessing the source data via APIs to Azure we were able to develop dimensional models that could present the data via PowerBI into accessible dashboards.  Using visual indicators rather than numbers to highlight performance made issue identification quick and easy for the haulage team. 

IMPACT

The implementation of the dashboards for the operation enabled shift supervisors to take control of activities and respond quickly to issues as they arose.  The dashboards became pivotal for the daily planning meetings to review performance of the previous day/shifts and adjust planning to stay on track.