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
Transitioning from paper-based options to digital solutions is a crucial step for many industries, including mining. Traditional methods, such as handwritten logbooks and reports, are prone to errors, inefficiencies, and loss of critical information. Digital solutions such as Magman and Simbio offer significant benefits in speed, ease of use, and cost savings. K ey Benefits of Digital Solutions Speed and Efficiency Faster completion of inspections and data collection. Instant information sharing via internet connections. Reduced time for data entry and reporting. Real-time access to reports for all necessary personnel. Ease of Use Efficient and accurate data collection with mobile apps and IoT devices. Simplified processes using barcode scanning, RFID, and standardized forms. Automatic organization and storage of information for historical records and audit trails. Customization Tailored solutions to fit specific business needs and processes. Customizable checklists, forms, and corrective actions. Flexible hosting options (in-house servers or cloud-based solutions). Integration with existing systems and workflows. Cost Savings Elimination of paper and postage expenses. Platforms like Magman and Simbio deliver significant savings per document, including productivity and revenue gains. Substantial cumulative savings when multiplied by thousands or millions of documents annually. Environmental Benefits Reduced paper usage saves trees and decreases carbon emissions. Steps to Successful Digital Transformation Assess Organizational Needs Identify specific requirements and challenges. Determine essential features and capabilities in a digital solution. Select the Right Provider Choose providers offering comprehensive, customizable solutions. Ensure the system can be tailored to business size and scale. Evaluate the benefits of increased proficiency through speed and customization. Invest in Training and Education Provide training to help workers adapt to new technologies. Highlight the importance of digital tools in improving safety and efficiency. Embracing digital solutions is essential for mining operations to stay competitive, efficient, and environmentally responsible. The transition from paper-based to digital systems enables better data management, faster decision-making, and enhanced safety. By focusing on speed, customization, cost savings, and proper training, organizations can successfully transition to a paperless environment. Leveraging technology not only improves operational efficiency but also contributes positively to the environment. For those interested in going paperless, applications like the Magman and Simbio suite provide valuable operational insight and real-world practicality to support this transition.
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: