Abstract
Mining is currently experiencing a rapid growth in the development and uptake of automation and other new technologies (such as collision detection systems); however, they are often developed from a technology-centred perspective that does not explicitly consider the end-user. This paper first presents a review of the technologies currently available (or near-market) and the likely human factors issues associated with them. The second part of the paper presents a potential long term strategy for research and development that aims to maximise the safety and health benefits for operators of such new technologies. The strategy includes a four stage research and development process, this covers: better understanding the needs for technology, user requirements and risk/cost analysis; human element design, procurement and deployment processes; evaluation and verification of the strategy; and dissemination of it to relevant stakeholders (including equipment manufacturers, mine site purchasers and regulators). The paper concludes by stressing the importance of considering the human element with respect to new mining technologies and the likely benefits of adopting the type of strategy proposed here. The overall vision is for mining to become safer and healthier through effective user-centred design and deployment of new technologies that serve both operator needs and the demands of the workplace.
Highlights
The Need for New Technologies and Automation in MiningThe ongoing imperative for safe and healthy workplaces has been one of the major drivers for the introduction of new technologies into mining [1]
As seen in domains where considerable research and development work has been performed to achieve good human system integration, to be successful, new technologies must take into account the human element [3]
There has been much recent discussion of the ‘Mine of the Future’ concept, where full automation will supposedly replace the need for human presence at mine sites. Whilst such concepts and visions are attractive to engineers and managers, it seems unlikely that full automation could be used on a wide scale across the entire industry in the near future as it must be remembered that prototype technology to automate some of the major tasks on a mine site have been available since the 1970s but have only recently been successfully implemented [6]
Summary
The ongoing imperative for safe and healthy workplaces has been one of the major drivers for the introduction of new technologies into mining [1]. As seen in domains where considerable research and development work has been performed to achieve good human system integration (e.g., aviation or defence), to be successful, new technologies must take into account the human element [3] They must meet the requirements of the job or task, work in emergency or abnormal operational states, support operators, and be acceptable to the eventual end-users [4]. There has been much recent discussion of the ‘Mine of the Future’ concept, where full automation will supposedly replace (or at least reduce) the need for human presence at mine sites Whilst such concepts and visions are attractive to engineers and managers, it seems unlikely that full automation could be used on a wide scale across the entire industry in the near future as it must be remembered that prototype technology to automate some of the major tasks on a mine site (e.g., haul truck operation) have been available since the 1970s but have only recently been successfully implemented [6]. The strategy presented in the second part of the paper has been designed to work for all technology levels: from operator information and assistance systems through to more fully automated ones
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
