Digital dividends in fuel monitoring
In line with Canyon Coal’s vision of becoming a leader in the use of digital systems to enhance efficiencies, reduce down times and costs it has implemented global technology company Minetec Smart Mining’s Fuel Automation System at its mines.
The Minetec Fuel Automation system is a digitisation tool that captures all refuelling and replenishment information in one database. “Fuel attendants are issued with ruggedized Android devices, allowing them to digitally create fuel requisitions and automatically capture accurate litres dispensed into each vehicle. All vehicles are tagged and configured with the Minetec software, allowing for automatic vehicle recognition,” explains Minetec Sales and Marketing Manager Ben du Preez.
He notes that all bulk tanks and mobile bowsers are also equipped with level sensors for continuous tank level monitoring. Additionally, water sensors are also installed in these tanks to monitor fuel quality, which is crucial to ensure that good quality fuel is in the machine in order to allow for optimised engine run time and minimised downtime.
The trial of the system commenced in May 2020 at Canyon Coal’s Khanye Colliery in Bronkhorstspruit and following the completion of a successful three-month trial, it was installed and commissioned in August 2020 at the mine. The system is currently being rolled out throughout the group on all mine machines.
Menar Group Chief Innovation Officer Cleavon Moothosamy explains the reasoning for selecting Minetec fuel management solution: “Minetec Smart Mining Fuel Automation System offers a comprehensive mining digitisation solution, which integrates into one database that provides key data on fuel use and qualities. Furthermore, the system aligns with our drive towards utilising IR 4.0 solutions by using Big Data to optimise mining operations and thereby proactively managing our various key performance indicators or KPI targets,” he states.
Canyon Coal Group System Administrator Koketso Sikoe adds that: “The Minetec Fuel Automation system comes with powerful software, where trends can easily be recognised, and allows us to take swift action should any irregularities occur, which is crucial to avoiding loss of fuel owing to theft or wastage and the like.”
In conclusion Minetec Sales and Marketing Manager Ben du Preez highlights that, “It was encouraging to see Canyon Coal refuel attendants embracing these technologies and have the sense of empowerment by being part of the Industrial Revolution 4.0. We are working closely with Canyon Coal to effectively and seamlessly roll out the system throughout the group.”
