ABB Presented Digital Application to Increase Mining Production

ABB has launched ABB's skills operations management system, which is designed to increase efficiency, productivity and profitability by maximizing coordination between effective mine situations and weekly production plans.

This digital application has been developed to help with the integration in real time for work in open pit and underground mines, allowing immediate corrective action from shifts to action.

The Skill Operations Management System is designed to improve the ability to respond to unplanned events and to reduce the variability of production at each stage of the mine. More specifically, it will allow mine operators to monitor and review their operational plans and performance based on their objectives, metrics and KPIs.

ABB's ability operations management system is part of ABB Ability MineOptimise's portfolio of digitally connected products, services and solutions to help modern mines improve visibility, reliability, productivity, energy efficiency and overall performance.

The application was created through a collaboration between Boliden AB and ArcelorMittal Mining Canada. Its objective with the system is to better connect real-time coordination among mine operators, the workforce, equipment and all mining activities.

The respective project teams provided operational experience, existing infrastructure and resource support.

"Although it seems simple, the coordination between the tactical plan and the operational plan is one of the main challenges facing modern mining," said Eduardo Lima, ABB's product manager for integrated mine operations. "By offering advanced short-term planning and greater automation, ABB's Skill Operations Management System enables the mine to act as a mineral factory."

Lima says that the mineral inventory can be tracked and controlled to allow a maximum flow and an optimal rating. "By integrating operational technology and information technology, operational awareness increases for all personnel," he adds.

"The staff sees the same information at the same time and can jointly decide what actions to take in real time without the need to wait until the end of the shift."