TECHNOLOGY
BIG DATA PROJECTS take place at the intersection of business , science and technology . For miners , who have long weathered tough environments in both business and nature , staying abreast of the latest connected technology can often provide the key to greater efficiency and better margins .
Miners have been collecting data and looking for an edge since the moment the sector became industrialised . However , identifying new opportunities can present a challenge , especially when trying to re-imagine facets of the mine operation that have not been overhauled in a long time .
When trying to deploy new technologies , outcomes must be at the forefront of any Project Manager ’ s list of priorities . When implementing a Big Data project , the primary source of value comes from the distillation of vast quantities of data into previously unknowable intelligence , so it is extremely important to know how each element , from hardware deployment to data analysis to business outcome , forms part of a larger whole .
PREDICTING DISASTER Avoiding unscheduled downtime plays a major role in the smooth running of a mine truck fleet . A broken down truck on a wellused road can cause massive headaches , as operations are forced to a halt . Fortunately it has been possible to make progress in our ability to keep trucks on the road via the deployment of connected sensors and complementary Big Data analytics . Engines , transmission , torque converters and differentials are all examples of haul truck components that can be linked to a data logger via a sensor array . It is true that trucks have been running for decades without this kind of technology , without collecting all of these forms of data . However , in neglecting these potentially insightful data points , it is not possible to obtain the clearest picture of what is happening to crucial equipment .
In order to enact change within a maintenance regime it is essential to gather a cache of data which can be projected into the future . A cache of recent data gathered from the quotidian activity of a
16 August 2017