The new release is the latest in Modular's high-precision machine-guidance platform line-up. It has been designed for identifying location and positioning, accurate to within centimetres, for its ProVision Machine Guidance solutions for drills, shovels, loaders and dozers.

It is an update to the company's previous version, MM1, with the added benefit in the new release of vastly improved satellite coverage - even in deep or otherwise challenging pits. This is done by having access to and being able to utilise all four GNSS constellations: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo.

The Topcon-powered receiver will also serve as a critical component for optimising performance of its new product and those still to come, it said. That includes the recent ProVision Guided Spotting system, which guides haul truck operators as they reverse for shovel loading.

MM2 has already undergone extensive field testing in the Americas and Australia. That testing returned improved availability of the satellite in all of the cases, some approaching 100% even in challenging deep-pit scenarios.

"Mines that previously had intermittent GPS coverage due to geographic location or pit geometry will benefit from more dependable and accurate positioning," product innovation vice-president Michael Lewis said.

"Increasing the availability of their mission-critical position-based applications translates directly to a lower cost per ton."