The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
To enhance digital, automation tech for underground mines Metal Tech News - June 15, 2022
MST Global offers high-speed digital networks, position tracking, and proximity detection for underground mines.
MST Global leverages fiber-optic broadband communication systems to create a real-time digital twin of underground operations, which is fundamental for autonomous and remotely operated underground mining equipment.
As its mining clients increasingly go underground to provide the minerals and metals needed for a technology-driven clean energy future, global heavy equipment manufacturer Komatsu Ltd. continues to position itself to offer the low-emissions, digital, and automation solutions to help bring these essential raw materials to the surface.
In the latest move to achieve this strategy, Komatsu has agreed to acquire Mine Site Technologies, an Australian firm better known as MST Global that leverages modern communication and position tracking systems that make underground mining safer and more productive.
Sydney-based MST Global has been delivering cutting-edge digital solutions – specializing in rugged, fit-for-purpose digital devices and services that allow underground mining companies to unearth safety and productivity improvements.
The solutions offered by MST Global leverage optical fiber broadband communication systems to enable contact between, and tracking of, underground miners and equipment. Important for next-generation mines, this technology creates a real-time geospatial digital twin of underground operations.
Komatsu plans to leverage this fundamental building block for digitalization and automation to help its mining customers build digital ecosystems with real-time insights and alerts, voice and communication technologies, software solutions, robust network infrastructure and wireless and geospatial technologies.
The Japan-based equipment manufacturer says it will work with MST Global to increase availability of high-speed, low-latency digital communication – a network that is essential to providing mission-critical communications; integrating industrial internet-of-things (IIoT) sensors; and enabling real-time tracking, monitoring, and automation of mining operations.
With more than 300 clients across six continents, MST Global's platform to visualize and monitor the underground mining environment and enable control from a remote operations center is already contributing to the digitalization and automation of underground mining operations around the world.
By adding this global digitalization experience, expertise, and solution to its portfolio, Komatsu aims to enhance the speed at which it offers advanced technology solutions such as the automation and remote operations of underground mining equipment.
The Japanese equipment company already offers FrontRunner automation technology for surface mining equipment and late last year forged a partnership with Proterra Inc., a leading innovator in commercial vehicle electrification technology, to supply batteries for its underground loaders, drills, and bolters.
More information on FrontRunner can be read at Komatsu autonomous trucks at Chile mine in the June 8, 2022 edition of Metal Tech News and further details on Komatsu's partnership with Proterra can be found at Proterra batteries for Komatsu equipment in the November 3, 2021 edition of Metal Tech News.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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