Public Joint Stock Mining and Metallurgical Norilsk Nickel : Nornickel develops precise positioning system at its mines

Zapolyarny MineA mining location for the extraction of ores.Go to the glossaryof Medvezhy Ruchey LLC (a subsidiary of NornickelPublic Joint Stock Company "Mining and Metallurgical Company "Norilsk Nickel" and its subsidiariesGo to the glossary) has completed the implementation of an IT project to create a system for determining the positions of personnel and machinery. The project is designed to ensure the safety of miners.

Operator monitors operation of the personnel and machinery positioning system

The new positioning system will improve mining operations safety, provide for better coordination of rescue teams in emergencies, and enhance production process management. A similar programme is already in place at the key mining facilities of Norilsk Division.

It took Zapolyarny Mine 12 months to introduce the innovative solution, which covers 1,500 mining lights and over 80 units of rail haulage systems and underground self-propelled machinery. UralTexIs, a company that develops and manufactures electric equipment for mining enterprises, provided miners of Zapolyarny Mine with multifunctional lamps containing built-in precise positioning sensors. Similar devices are installed on vehicles as well.

The system operates by constantly sending location coordinates to the control unit, where a 3D model of the mine is used to control the routes of personnel and machinery in real time. The system also gives miners timely warnings of collision threats, possible vehicle/pedestrian accidents and proximity to hazardous zones.

Project implementation was supported by Micromine, a system which had already been in place at the mine, and relied on the efforts of the Shared Service Centre and developers of the Mine Dispatcher software.

"Safety is our absolute priority. The new system is aimed at keeping our people safe by assisting in determining their positions. This is in line with our overarching goal of zero injuries," said Vadim Makarov, Director of Zapolyarny Mine.

In addition, the precise positioning system automates a number of production management processes, such as work time recording, rock transportation target monitoring on a per-shift basis, and more. The system is currently in hot commissioning, with the full launch scheduled for June 2022. Plans until the end of the year include 100% coverage with Wi-Fi spots to enable microcell communications for all of the mine's workers, which will boost efficiency.

"We are also rolling out a precise positioning system at the Medvezhy Ruchey pit. The process started this year, and we are currently installing radio equipment, mesh systems (advanced high-speed Wi-Fi), and Wi-Fi spots to ensure 100% coverage for effective employee positioning in the open-pit mine. Next, we plan to roll out a dispatch system to automate control over mine vehicles and equipment across the entire Zapolyarny open pit. This includes more than 100 units of drilling rigs, excavators, trucks, and auxiliary bulldozer machinery," says Nikolay Sarayev, Head of Automation at Medvezhy Ruchey LLC.

Hot commissioning of the open pit's global system is scheduled for Q1 2023.