Industrial tests of a new system for preventing self-propelled vehicles from hitting personnel have been successfully completed at the Taimyrsky mine of the Polar Branch of Norilsk Nickel.
The main task of the tests was to test the operation of the system in real conditions of an underground mine: on horizontal and inclined sections, at various speed modes and loads on machinery.
According to the Department of Self-propelled underground equipment of the Polar Branch, the innovative system functions fully automatically and does not require operator intervention.
According to the test results, the average stopping distance of a loaded and empty dump truck ranged from six to eight meters from a simulated obstacle. The system worked stably on both horizontal and inclined sections.
"The safety of people is our absolute priority. The introduction of technologies such as the smooth braking system is a significant step in the implementation of our safety strategy. The tests at Taimyrsky clearly showed that we can not only detect a dangerous approach, but also automatically, without sudden maneuvers, stop a multi–ton dump truck, preventing a possible collision," said Maxim Rassokhin, director of the self-propelled underground equipment Department at Norilsk Nickel.
Testing has confirmed the high efficiency and reliability of the solution, which will become the new safety standard at all mining enterprises of Norilsk Nickel.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
