Sunrise Dam, which is wholly owned by AngloGold Ashanti Australia, has contracted its underground mining operations to Barminco.

Barminco's Sandvik and Cat loader fleets, which were already operating with ControlMaster Guidance Automation, were fitted with enhancements, including Multiple Machine Selection (MMS) and Multiple Machine Control (MMC).

RCT said this technology gives an operator control of numerous mobile machines from one station.

RCT's automation and control product manager, Brendon Cullen, said: "For example, this allows one operator to tram one machine, while digging with another to make the process more efficient.

"Before the introduction of these features, one operator would only be able to concentrate on the activity of one mobile machine. The new features allow them to attend to multiple machines safely and effectively thanks to Guidance Automation, which will keep the machine on the correct path, to avoid machine damage and to ensure faster tramming."

These latest automation features are made possible by digitalising the mine's work area with RCT's Bridge, the company's own communication network; essential in supporting the latest autonomous features.

"RCT Bridge is the stepping stone solution to bring a mine site to full digitisation and is simply integrated into the site's existing system," said Cullen.

"Whilst we understand our customers are in the process of digitising their mine, RCT Bridge provides a cost-effective upgrade path, enabling digital data to be transmitted over the existing analogue network and then integrating with the clients' backhaul."

In addition to this, RCT's Area Access Control (AAC) units have also been deployed. This relatively new system acts as an extension of the Automation Control Centre and interfaces between the work areas and machines.

"These lightweight, cost-effective and portable solutions are the ideal alternative to installing a cabin on site," said Cullen.

"AAC's patch into any Ethernet backhaul to the surface and connect to any network to provide analogue to digital connection and location awareness."

Operators will not only have all these innovative features at their fingertips, but they will also be utilising them from the comfort of an Automation Control Centre on the surface of the mine, which has been upgraded with operator ergonomics in mind, RCT said.

"The control centre was overhauled to ensure improved functionality with a new operating system which includes the MMC and MMS features to make it more comfortable for operators."

These additions are designed to help increase the mine's overall efficiency and to increase productivity.

"This project is a great example of RCT's interoperability capabilities; highlighting the company's abilities to integrate with different brands of machines and the site's information system," said Cullen.

The implementation of RCT's solutions is part of Sunrise Dam's technology transformation. This project was a first for all parties involved, who collaborated to achieve successful delivery.