Underground production was planned to start during the summer of 2009 with these automated vehicles, but was deferred due to the economic crisis.
After discussions between Diavik, Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Canada and the URE Product Company it was decided to use this slow time to prepare for the upswing that will be coming.
The automated Scooptram ST14 has been used by the customer since the economic down turn to evaluate the system and the potential of safer and more productive underground production - preparing for the upturn.
David Janes, Specialist, Communications & Automation, DDMI, says:
“Having reached the conclusion of Phase one, it has been demonstrated that the system does work as advertised in the Diavik Diamond Mine’s underground trial location. Also, there have been no immediate flags raised with respect to any major changes required to move forward with the system. Informal feedback from everyone who paid a visit to the automation trial area to observe the work being conducted, or watch a fully operational demonstration of the Scooptram ST14, was consistently very positive.”
Scooptram Automation Components
Autonomous Scooptran ST14 Loader
Diavik also wanted to confirm that the system would perform in a real First Scooptram ST14 ever to be operated from surface production environment. This was first successfully accomplished underground. In November 2009 the big step was to operate the Scooptram ST14 from a control room on surface.
As part of the acceptance test and on the final day, the Management from Rio Tinto and Atlas Copco took part in the application tour and saw the operation from the control room on surface.
This showed the customer that the control room could even be placed in the city of Yellowknife, located 304 km from the site.
This is the first time ever for the automated Scooptram ST14 to be operated from surface by a customer.
The evaluation of the Scooptram Automation product is now successfully completed and accepted by the customer. We have now proved that we have the technology for the present and future demands - this is only the beginning!