APS announces mineAPS Drill release

Automated Positioning Systems (APS), which develops machine management systems for the surface mining sector, has released an advanced drill guidance and management solution for rotary blasthole and hydraulic rock drills- mineAPS Drill.

Adam Forsyth, CEO of APS explained: “This next-generation system combines our experience of providing reliable, easy-to-use GPS drill guidance systems with the open systems flexibility and network ready capability of our mineAPS architecture. “mineAPS Drill combines the on-board functionality and accuracy of earlier APS drill guidance systems with a host of new features. It is designed to get the rig to each hole as quickly and safely as possible, recording operations and delays in real time and providing centralised management and reporting.”

Using GNSS technologies, mineAPS Drill takes the digital design directly from the site’s preferred drill and blast system and loads it on the machine, removing the need to mark out the pattern. This reduces time and costs while extending operations in poor weather or lighting conditions. Combined with a digital mine design of hazards such as old workings and highwalls, the system improves operator situation awareness and autonomy.

New features include: an updated operator interface; safety features including proximity and fixed hazard warnings; shared data between multiple rigs working the same pattern; network independence; in-fill holes; central management using mineAPS Office; and future options for real time rate of penetration and log-while-drilling.

mineAPS™ Drill can be used on almost all surface drill rigs including rotary blast hole, DTH, hydraulic rock drills and excavator-mounted rotary or percussion drills.

It is available immediately for sale and an upgrade path is available for current customers using an earlier APS drill guidance product.