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Reshaping mining operations with digital solutions

January 25, 2024

With a legacy spanning over three decades, Madison Technologies is ready and able to tackle the mining sector’s digital transformation.


When it comes to communication technology, connectivity, and digitalisation in the mining industry, it may sometimes seem like there are more questions than answers. Luckily, Madison Technologies has made it its business to answer these questions.


“We see ourselves as an Industry 4.0-enablement partner with hands-on experience and understanding of OT (operational technology) systems design and implementation,” Madison Technologies chief executive officer Paul Calabro told Australian Mining.


Madison Technologies understands it can be difficult for mining companies to move away from reactive responses in operations, and towards predictive responses based on the data gained from digital transformation.


“Our purpose is to enable digital transformation and help organisations unlock the full potential of their operations with purpose-built solutions that unlock data insights and business intelligence, but this can only be achieved through strong relationships with customers and suppliers,” Calabro said.


To support its mining customers in making this change and reaching their digital transformation goals, Madison Technologies has a portfolio of technologies that can help make a mine site more productive and efficient.


“The deployment of digital technologies to monitor environmental or asset performance conditions, such as Industrial IoT (Internet of Things) devices capable of running on batteries for several years with low transmit frequency, allows our mining customers to gain greater operational predictability and use insights from captured data to manage their business more confidently,” Calabro said.


A primary example of this was when Madison Technologies supported a mine site to address inefficiencies across the mine’s critical communications network.


By working with one of its systems integrators, Madison Technologies was able to deploy a mesh connectivity network that reduced communication failures between trucks and communication towers by up to 50 per cent.


This was just one example of how industrial connectivity solutions can help drive increased productivity and occupational health and safety outcomes.


Madison Technologies leverages two key pillars to help guide its mining customers to a helpful and advanced technology solution: its operational technology specialists and in-house technology experts.


“The expertise of our operational technology specialists covers connectivity, Industrial IoT and cybersecurity along with our edge technology and camera-as-a-sensor solutions,” Calabro said.


Madison Technologies’ in-house technology experts provide an advanced level of technical knowledge to support a successful deployment to customers.


Their knowledge is used to effectively develop solutions that solve the unique challenges of the mining industry by using the latest and most applicable technologies.


“This collective experience is a cornerstone of our approach,” Calabro said. “It enables our team to swiftly grasp our clients’ unique challenges within their operational environments.


Other technologies that Madison Technologies can provide include cameras with onboard artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, advanced OT cybersecurity solutions, and Industrial IoT for precise and automated data measurement.


“With over 30 years of reputation in bringing value to the market, our customer relationships span across many industry verticals, thousands of organisations and tens of thousands of contacts,” Calabro said.


“This rich history of placing the customer at the centre of what we do has enabled us to thrive with our customers and share in the success of operating as a 100 per cent Australian-owned-and-operated business.”


But what really sets Madison Technologies apart is a legacy of consistent dedication to enhancing the customer experience.



“As we see more of our world move to online engagement, there is still something to be said about people wanting to deal with people, and our organisation is a testament to how we have conducted ourselves over the last 30 years,” Calabro said.




Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/reshaping-mining-operations-with-digital-solutions/

July 9, 2024
The Queensland Government has broken ground on the first construction works of the $5 billion CopperString project. Work commenced yesterday on the CopperString projects’ first and largest workforce accommodation site. The site will house those charged with building the project’s 840km high-voltage transmission line that will connect Mount Isa to the ‘SuperGrid’ for the first time. The workforce accommodation will house up to 550 construction workers at its peak. These workers will construct a nearby substation and progress early stages of the transmission line development heading west from Hughenden out to Mount Isa. Supercharging the state’s north-west aims to unlock Queensland’s $500 billion north-west minerals province. It’s expected CopperString will be complete in 2029, weather and construction conditions permitting. Queensland Premier Stephen Miles said CopperString is the biggest ever expansion to the state’s publicly owned energy system. “Queenslanders deserve cheaper, cleaner, more reliable energy – to power their homes, our schools, hospitals, shopping centres and more,” Miles said . “CopperString will be the catalyst for transforming Queensland’s north and north-west – opening up mining opportunities, creating more jobs and unlocking critical minerals which will be essential in developing renewable technologies. “This is the start of a long and exciting future for the region and our state.” Commencing later this month, project owner, Queensland Powerlink, will be offering free sessions for businesses along the CopperString corridor to build their capabilities. The program includes five workshops and one-on-one assistance to help businesses build confidence to bid on major projects and supply chain work in the region. “All of North Queensland understands the immense opportunities that CopperString presents for local jobs both directly and indirectly which is why this is such a momentous day,” Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said.  “Critical minerals are the next big boom for the resources industry and the feedback I’ve had from companies is that this project is key to unlocking those opportunities.” Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/queensland-breaks-ground-on-copperstring/
July 8, 2024
Underground mines are busy places, and it’s vital companies are on top of their processes to enable an efficient and safe underground operation. Whether it’s having the best equipment to drive higher production, maximise return on investment, minimise waste or keep workers out of harm’s way, mining companies benefit from understanding and investing in the right underground technologies. Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/showcasing-the-best-in-underground-mining/
July 8, 2024
BHP has started environmental processing to have the transport at its Escondida copper mine in Chile transitioned to an electric trolley system. The Big Australian will invest around $US250 million ($371.6 million) in the project at Escondida, which it owns in a joint venture with Rio Tinto. The funds will go towards installing key infrastructure to electrically assist the movement of extraction trucks in areas where the highest fuel consumption currently takes place. BHP has submitted an environmental impact statement to the Environmental Impact Assessment System in Chile. “The electric trolley system is one of the initiatives with which we seek to move towards a safer and more sustainable way of operating hand in hand with technology,” BHP Escondida president Alejandro Tapia said . “This project will allow us to reduce the fuel consumption of our extraction trucks and thus advance our goal of net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.” The project includes the construction of a new electrical substation and transmission lines both inside and around the Escondida Norte pit. These facilities will electrically assist the movement of trucks inside the mine in the areas where they go up loaded with ore and, consequently, consume more fuel. With this new technology, instead of using diesel, they will be propelled by electrical power, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving productivity associated with truck performance given the higher travel speed. Once construction kicks off up to 160 jobs are expected to be created. The trolley project is in addition to other technological transformation initiatives that the company maintains in different stages of study and execution, including the progressive incorporation of autonomy in its mining equipment.  To date, Escondida has six autonomous trucks in full operation and by 2025 it expects to have the largest fleet of autonomous equipment in South America. Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/bhp-goes-green-at-worlds-largest-copper-mine/
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