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Upgrade to a smart mine today with the Simbio Core Suite
Ryan Landers • May 13, 2024
Underground mining is a harsh environment to operate in, where the next decision can be the difference between continued progress or productivity halting delays. Often it is the ‘gut-feel’ or ‘intuition’ that results in pulling Lever A as opposed to Lever B, but when it is estimated that the average adult makes 35,000 decisions a day (Sollisch 2016), it is clear that not all of these can possibly be the optimal solution all of the time.
Traditionally, data collection has been a lagged, cumbersome process, fraught with inaccuracies (poor radio communications, misplaced/damaged/destroyed paperwork), double handling (horizontally integrated systems) and delays (data entry occurs progressively by site administration on the following shift for the one preceding it). However, with the advent of digitization, this narrative is rapidly changing. Real-time data collection and analysis empower stakeholders to access accurate and timely information, enabling them to make informed decisions on the fly.
Coupled with Digital Terrain’s RDI-WRS Wireless Repeater System (https://www.digitalterrain.io/revolutionising-underground-mining-with-wi-fi-mesh-technology), Simbio PLOD can present decision makers within your business the information they need to execute your plans and achieve your goals.
Digital Terrain‘s Simbio Core Suite (SCS) puts frontline personnel at the heart of their solution. Operators are empowered to capture their own data, in real-time, through the use of the Simbio PLOD app (available on Android and iOS). Each operator logs the progress of their shift as they complete their assigned tasks (using Simbio’s PLAN module) including Task Workplace Inspections (Take 5’s, Stop and Thinks, Safe Stops etc), Prestarts, Hazard Forms, Productive Time, Downtime, Maintenance Faults, Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) workflow escalations and more. The Digital Terrain team is committed to ensure that your operation can hit the ground running from Day 1.
Figure 1: Simbio MANAGE's Shift Summary Interface
Once the shift has come to a close, Digital Terrain makes it effortless to validate and edit the data using Simbio MANAGE. Validating data each and every shift makes end of month reporting that much easier.
The Simbio Core Suite covers and enables all major functions of your Technical Services department including:
Survey
- Memo/POI/AFC interface – ensure only the current, latest version of your memo is available down in Simbio PLOD for your crews to interrogate.
- Distance matrix for TKM calculation
- End-of-month reconciliations
Mining
- Daily/Weekly/Monthly reporting
- Budget/Target engine – upload your targets direct from your chosen scheduling package using Simbio’s Target CSV Uploader
Geology
- Development and Production firing tracking
- Actual/Forecast/Claim Grade Reconciliation
- Haulage/Hoisting Reports
Safety
- TWI Reporting
- Hazard Reporting
- Training/Competency Reporting
Geotechnical
- Rehabilitation Plans
- Ground Support Standard management
Maintenance
- Digitised Service Sheets (e.g. Dailies, Inspections etc)
- Reconcile miners (operator) against fitter (maintenance) downtime to build out the full time-usage model (Availability, Utilisation, UoA etc).
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Linkedin: Ryan Landers
Contact Digital Terrain to organise a demonstration of our system and upgrade to a Smart Mine Today.
Footnotes
Sollisch J. The cure for decision fatigue. Wall Street Journal 2016 [Google Scholar]
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cure-for-decision-fatigue-1465596928
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cure-for-decision-fatigue-1465596928
Figure 2: Simbio MANAGE's Reporting Portal Interface
Figure 3: : Deployment team rolling out the Simbio System onsite
Figure 4: Simbio PLOD - Example Prestart
Magman Stocktake New Features Stocktake compliance and balancing your magazine is a key regulatory requirement. Magman has always been focused on this through proactive alerting and email notifications. This has now been improved further by introducing a new stocktake validation workflow. This workflow prevents other transactions occurring if the magazine does not balance and requires approval via designated persons to proceed past an imbalanced magazine. The updated Magman system ensures seamless regulatory compliance and reduced downtime by enforcing users to complete a stocktake each shift prior to any other magazine transactions, removing any guesswork or administration level controls in the stock validation process and immediately requiring intervention if it does not balance. Here’s the new Magman stocktake workflow:
In the bustling ecosystem of the mining industry, where efficiency and innovation are paramount, Digital Terrain's flagship product, Simbio, stands as the embodiment of synergy and harmony. Just as flowers and bees, or clownfish and anemones, thrive through their symbiotic relationships, Simbio brings together the diverse elements of Digital Terrain's portfolio to create a seamless, integrated solution that transforms the way mining operations are managed and executed. The Power of Symbiosis: Uniting Strengths for Unparalleled Success At its core, Simbio is about the interconnectedness of all components within the Digital Terrain suite. This revolutionary product combines the strengths of PLAN, MANAGE, PLOD, Magman, IoT, Digitisation Services, and Integration Solutions, forging a unified platform that enhances every aspect of mining operations. Just as bees and flowers depend on each other for survival and growth, each element within Simbio works in perfect harmony, ensuring that data flows seamlessly, operations run smoothly, and productivity reaches new heights. PLAN: The Blueprint for Success Every great endeavor begins with a plan, and in the mining world, precision planning is the cornerstone of success. Simbio’s PLAN module is the architect of operational excellence, providing detailed blueprints that guide every phase of the mining process. With real-time data access and sophisticated analytics, PLAN ensures that every decision is informed, every action is deliberate, and every outcome is optimized. It’s not just planning; it’s orchestrating a symphony of success. MANAGE: The Conductor of Operations Once the blueprint is set, the MANAGE module takes the baton, conducting the day-to-day operations with unmatched efficiency. MANAGE brings clarity and control, allowing operators to oversee every facet of the mining process in real-time. It’s the heartbeat of the operation, ensuring that everything runs in perfect rhythm, much like the harmonious relationship between clownfish and anemones, where each supports the other to thrive in their shared environment. PLOD: Precision and Performance In the fast-paced world of mining, precision and performance are paramount. The PLOD module of Simbio delivers just that, providing real-time tracking and reporting of on-site activities. It ensures that every action is recorded, every movement is monitored, and every task is executed with pinpoint accuracy. PLOD is the watchful eye that guarantees safety, boosts productivity, and drives the operation towards its goals. Magman: Mastering the Flow of Resources Resource management is the lifeblood of any mining operation, and Magman is the master of this domain within Simbio. It optimizes the allocation and utilization of resources, ensuring that every asset is used to its fullest potential. Magman is the keystone species in the Simbio ecosystem, balancing supply and demand, much like bees pollinate flowers to ensure the continuity of their symbiotic relationship. IoT: The Pulse of Innovation In the age of digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT) is the pulse that keeps the Simbio ecosystem alive. IoT integration within Simbio connects every piece of equipment, every sensor, and every data point, creating a network of intelligence that drives smart decision-making. It’s the neural network of the operation, sensing, communicating, and responding to the dynamic needs of the mining environment. Digitisation Services and Integration Solutions: The Backbone of Connectivity At the heart of Simbio’s success is its robust Digitisation Services and Integration Solutions. These elements ensure that all data is seamlessly integrated, all systems are connected, and all processes are digitized for maximum efficiency. It’s the foundation that supports the entire ecosystem, much like the interconnected roots of a forest that share nutrients and resources, ensuring the health and vitality of every tree. The Future of Mining: A Symbiotic Vision Simbio is more than just a product; it’s a vision for the future of mining. It represents the pinnacle of innovation, the epitome of efficiency, and the zenith of productivity. By harnessing the power of symbiosis, Digital Terrain has created a solution that not only meets the needs of today’s mining operations but also anticipates the challenges of tomorrow. Conclusion: Thriving Together In the grand tapestry of the mining industry, where every thread must be perfectly woven to create a masterpiece, Simbio stands as the ultimate tool for achieving symbiotic success. Just as flowers and bees, and clownfish and anemones, thrive through their interdependence, so too does the Digital Terrain portfolio, united under the banner of Simbio. Together, we are not just surviving; we are thriving, reaching new heights, and setting the gold standard for the industry. With Simbio, the future of mining is not just bright; it’s brilliant.