How Lasers, Robots and Remote Controls Are Making Mining Safer

Remember how much fun it was to play with remote control cars when you were a kid? What if that same technology could also keep you safe? At Eldorado’s White Mountain mine in China,  our tele-remote loading system is doing just that, allowing operators to control loaders from hundreds of metres away, well away from potential hazards.

“Our team took the initiative to build this system. It was their idea and their work that made this system successful,” says Warren Uyen, General Manager at White Mountain. “It’s the first of its kind in China.”

Remote Controls, Safer Operators

Like a kid’s remote control car, our tele-remote loading system has two main components: a control station and the remote-controlled loading vehicle.

From the outside, the bright blue control station looks like a delivery truck. But inside, it’s loaded with high-tech video monitoring equipment that acts as the operator’s “eyes.” Two TV screens allow operators to see where the loaders are going and monitor loader data such as engine oil pressure, temperature, coolant level and hydraulic oil level. A stick-shift system allows operators to control loaders from up to 500 metres away.

It’s comfortable too: the vehicle’s cabin is outfitted with a chair, air conditioning and a red light that helps the operator’s eyes. The red light helps operators to adapt their vision to the dark if they have to exit the control cabin underground.

The control centre
The control centre
An operator guides a loader remotely from the safety of the the control centre
TV screens inside the control centre
An operator guides a loader remotely from the safety of the the control centre
An operator guides a loader remotely from inside the control centre

A Robot Vehicle and Laser Beams

And if a remote-controlled vehicle wasn’t enough to get your inner child’s attention, it’s also got laser beams.

The loader is fitted with a semi-automation system that allows it to operate at speeds of up to 10 kilometres per hour with no steering from the operator. Laser technology keeps the loader’s path true to centre even while going around sharp corners. All that the operator has to do is to direct the tele-remote system in a forward or reverse direction and direct it left or right at intersections.

This system can detect major obstacles and keep the machine traveling on the optimal path. The system also automatically controls the vehicle’s steering, braking and speed. This allows loaders to move more quickly and with less wear and tear.

Warren notes that they are seeing a much larger benefit to production than was originally estimated.

“Loader productivity is up 5–10 percent,” he says. “It’s a great combination of improved safety and productivity”.

A remote controlled loader means improves safety for our team
A remote controlled loader

Safety First

But no matter how exciting a new technology is, safety is always our priority.

Before our tele-remote loading system was implemented, our White Mountain team developed a HAZOP (hazard and operability study) to identify possible issues and risks in implementing this system. The HAZOP was conducted over eight one-hour sessions that addressed operational, maintenance and safety requirements.

Now, these issues are addressed by our mining and maintenance team, who have been thoroughly trained on how the system operates and what maintenance it requires.

The result? Our bright blue tele-remote truck has transformed loading operations at our White Mountain mine site!

To learn more about how Eldorado is making its mine sites safer, visit our Health & Safety page.

Mining and maintenance team members learn about the tele-remote loading system
Mining and maintenance team members learn about the tele-remote loading system
The team who created our tele-remote system at White Mountain in China
The team who created our tele-remote system at White Mountain in China

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