TY - THES

T1 - The Case for Proximity Detection Technologies in Australian Underground Metalliferous Mines

AU - Braddcok, Ashleigh Maree

N1 - embargoed until null

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - The purpose of the report is to study the potential for proximity detection technologies to reduce the risk of equipment related incidents within the Australian mining industry. Key objectives addressed are: 1.To determine the current need for proximity detection technologies in underground metalliferous mines in Australia. 2.To determine if available proximity detection technologies would improve safety in Australian underground mines. 3.To discuss existing and future legislation on Proximity Detection technologies within Australia. 4.To discuss the existing challenges preventing proximity detection technologies from being more widely implemented and the changes that are required to make this transition easier. Project Scope The project scope will focus on the application of proximity detection technologies within Australian underground metalliferous mines. The definition of proximity detection will consider applications of this technology related to awareness, detection and avoidance. Considerations have been made for all types of underground equipment however the core focus will be on hazards associated with the following equipment: •Load Haul Dump (LHD’s) •Drills •Haul Trucks (HT’s) In order to gain insight into these hazards an analysis of the fatalities related to these interactions was completed. As the fatality rates within Australia are already significantly low the data analysed was a combined fatality data from both Australia and the United States. A wider data subset allowed for the determination of causal factors and requirements of such systems. Based on ease of available and relevant data the time period analysed was between 1995 and 2008. The following limitations outline the items that will be considered as part of the scope of this project: •Technologies suited to an underground environment. •Technologies and systems that currently commercially available. •Fatalities relating to Metalliferous underground mining applications. •Equipment specific to Metalliferous Mining Loaders (LHD’s), Haul Trucks and Drills •Legislation requirements inside Australia

AB - The purpose of the report is to study the potential for proximity detection technologies to reduce the risk of equipment related incidents within the Australian mining industry. Key objectives addressed are: 1.To determine the current need for proximity detection technologies in underground metalliferous mines in Australia. 2.To determine if available proximity detection technologies would improve safety in Australian underground mines. 3.To discuss existing and future legislation on Proximity Detection technologies within Australia. 4.To discuss the existing challenges preventing proximity detection technologies from being more widely implemented and the changes that are required to make this transition easier. Project Scope The project scope will focus on the application of proximity detection technologies within Australian underground metalliferous mines. The definition of proximity detection will consider applications of this technology related to awareness, detection and avoidance. Considerations have been made for all types of underground equipment however the core focus will be on hazards associated with the following equipment: •Load Haul Dump (LHD’s) •Drills •Haul Trucks (HT’s) In order to gain insight into these hazards an analysis of the fatalities related to these interactions was completed. As the fatality rates within Australia are already significantly low the data analysed was a combined fatality data from both Australia and the United States. A wider data subset allowed for the determination of causal factors and requirements of such systems. Based on ease of available and relevant data the time period analysed was between 1995 and 2008. The following limitations outline the items that will be considered as part of the scope of this project: •Technologies suited to an underground environment. •Technologies and systems that currently commercially available. •Fatalities relating to Metalliferous underground mining applications. •Equipment specific to Metalliferous Mining Loaders (LHD’s), Haul Trucks and Drills •Legislation requirements inside Australia

M3 - Master's Thesis (University Course)

ER -