BATCHELOR, D.H. The implementation of a computerised truck dispatch system at Palabora. APCOM 87.

Proceedings of the Twentieth International Symposium on the Application of Computers and Mathematics in
the Mineral Industries. Volume 1: Mining. Johannesburg, SAIMM, 1987. pp. 389-401.

The Implementation of a Computerised Truck

Dispatch System at Palabora
D.H. BATCHELOR
Palabora Mining Company Limited, Phalaborwa, South Africa

Efficient modern-day mining operations are turning increasingly to technology

to combat rising operating costs in an adverse economic climate for the industry. Computerised truck dispatching is one such technological advance that
has enhanced the efficiency of the mining operation at Palabora. The economic
incentives, basic operation and general system benefits of Palabora's computerised truck dispatching system are considered.

Introduction
Palabora

Mine

lowveld

plain of

Transvaal,
east of
to

some

situated
the

550 km to

east of

Kruger

Immediately
1i e s

the

Park and the border

Mozambique,

the north lies

the

the north-

the mine

National

in

north-eastern

Johannesburg.

the

with

is

whilst

175 km

to

the Limpopo river and

the border with Zimbabwe.

The Palabora
elliptically
of

volcanic origin,
km,

with

intruded
plex.
rock

some

km

pipe
by

a younger alkaline pipe

centrally
This

for

vertical

into

intrusion

the copper

the
is

com-

the host

sulphide

and

associated mineralisation.
Mining has
crop,
but
day

Loolekop,

mining

quarry for
In
the

for

some

it was only in 1932

Hans

Or

taken place on the out1 200

years

that modern-

commenced when the

Merensky started

late
sma 11

the winning of phosphate.

those early years

copper ore body was

the grade of
considered

support an

viable mining
1956

until

economically
It was not

operation.
that

Company was

Mining

Palabora

formed on the

initiative

the Rio Tinto Zinc and the

of

mont Mining Corporations

to

the viability of mining.

first

phase of
in

lishment
To da t e
1 ion

(Oc t .
of

tons

The

operation

the mining

estab-

1964 with the

of mining

New-

investi-

gate

commenced

Igneous Complex is an
shaped

low to

too

cuts on Loolekop.

1986) over

1 453 milhave

material

been

removed from the Palabora open pit.

The

primary

quality

product

refined copper

and cathode

form.

sufficient

copper

is

high-

in both

rod

Palabora produces
to meet

re-

the

quirements of

the entire South Afri-

can

the balance going

market,

export.
are

Other

anode

silver and

baddeleyite
kel

slimes

products

(containing

platinum),

(yellow

cine

significant

cake),

(zirconium

for

gold,

uranium calmagnetite,
oxide),

nic-

sulphate and sulphuric acid.

A COMPUTERISED TRUCK DISPATCH SYSTEM AT PALABORA

389

large

tonnage of

rock

is

behalf

the

mining

Palabora began

in 1965

phase

of

operation

at

wi th

establishment

the

benches

Loolekop.

on

equipment
sisted

in use at
of

ton KW Dart

tional

five

one

and
being

for

the

is

75

000

nation of

of which

40

head

tons

expansions
the

life

o f t he

reaching

production

1980 when an average

of

a
of

mined

these expan-

controlled perimeter blas-

flags

and

Following

material

ratio,

occurs.

average

Under

an

grade of

0,50%

Cu

mining
has

equipment

increased in size

f 01 1 owi ng

the

the world.

operations
By 1985

had been

backup.

and

systems

largethrough-

the

shovel

rationalised

8%,

its

constituents and

the

wi th

are

it

conditions

mining

are planned to

All

in which

square

trucks

double

in

major permanent
installed at

face

ramp

grade of

with the more heavily used ramps

having
led.

to

normal

shovels

at

typical

trends of many

scale open cast

fleet

use

thirteen different

ownership area

muckpi les

in

com-

is marked by

according

types

mineralogical

000

into

unique number and classi-

into one of

tons per day of which 93

day is ore at

identification boards

is

demarcation

by means of

Each composite

fied

stripping

each blast.
muckpile

posites.

operation

1999.

each

in

precise

the

smaller mining blocks known as

the open cast

to

sampled

holes are
determine

subdivided

means of

is

technological

390

combin-

blasting,

the plan-

and cut-off

loading

After

increase

to

and 0,15% Cu respectively.

out

achieved through a

to

mineral

capacity,

slopes

throughout

drill

at

Palabora

most

53

mineralogical make-up of

No

slope

an average of

and double benching.

currently planned

per

The

ting

level

The overall

1).

have

in 1992.

The effect

production

tons

000

of

surface

is maintained at

and

favourable

000

angle

plans called
tons

average

Figure

to

mine

seven years

307

finally
a depth

order

life of

more

(see

surface

and 325 m below sea

elevation

depth

reach bench 56 at

721 m below the

of

is

less

sions has been

(Crosson

tons of material was

per day.

by

(9,2m 3

to

45

being

peak during

ned

(4,6m

planned

pit

All

with

195

an addi-

The

elevation.

).

taken place through

348

shovels

twenty-six

in 1966

rate of

five

mine,

con-

time

at

the average

below

the planned end-of-life of

mine

than

of

of

open pit

per day

was ore,

mining

shovel

2100

initial

a mining

rock

The

P&H 1600 shovels

introduced

The

currently being bench 30

trucks with

P&H

working,bench

lowest

the

mining

1400

fleet

15,2 m high

mined in

is

323 m

MK36

units.

The pit
benches,

Rig

to

154 ton Euclid

R170
a total
of
eighty-

of

that

P&H

two

and a
65

three haul

truck fleet

154 ton Unit

trucks and four

trucks, making

Background to the mining operation

first

the haul

seventy-nine

ment Corporation.

The

and

shovels

Develop-

Phosphate

the

2100

six P&H 2800 and three P&H

to

on

by Palabora

also mined

of

bearing

phosphate

trolley assist
The

lines

trolley assist

instal-

system has

many advantages over standard diesel

powered haulage,

the main ones being

MINING: CONTROL OF MINING OPERATIONS

WEST

1,8 Km. - - - - - - - - - - - + - 1

EAST

<=-----t------ro----+200 m

=~~~--f"'__------M.

S. L.

---+-'----+----------2.5 Om

o JOo

~oo
,

PIT EXTENSION oP65D

300 400 500

!

8CALE:metres
FIGURE 1. East-west cross-section through the Palabora Pit, showing the current and final pit walls. The
World Trade Center buildings are superimposed to convey an impression of the depth
reduced fuel

costs and greater

truck productivity through

speed.
All
to

haul

increased

of

the ore

is currently hauled

surface and delivered to one

three
cone

54"

Allis

crushers.

Chalmer
All

to

gyratory

other material

is delivered to one of
according

of

twelve

the material

dumps
classi-

fication and ownership.

first

patching

method

truck

of

inefficiencies.

principal problems were

that

rarely

required an exact

trucks

to

requirements
rates,
vel
be

satisfy
and that

shovel

of

ching

system

was

truck

1973.

The haul

time

ton Unit

90

thirty 65

ton KW Darts.

concept of

the

to

detect
and

assign it

of a

shovel

of
and

Rig M100s
The

system was

truck as

truck

consisted

nineteen

Subsequent

it

basic

to be able
entered the

to a

by

shovel

priority

the

rating

installation

studies

the resultant

The

increase

loading

that

commissioned in

productito

determine

rates:

communication was restricted

the exact

cycle;

to determine

location and state of each

truck,

A COMPUTERISED TRUCK DISPATCH SYSTEM AT PALABORA

this

digestion

crusher

to one point within each haul

haul

shovel

accurately

and

8 9-o

it was not possible

and it was not possible

dispat-

in

major disadvantages of

system were

of

indicated that

vity varied from between 5%

digging
sho-

to

system,

the

to

timeously compensated for.

automatic

that

at

loading

crusher breakdowns and

first

fl eet

shovels

number

their

The

delays and breakdowns could not

The

of

pit

con-

basis being achieved in the

early part

dis-

system which suffered

certain inherent

with operation on a

system.

batch

was based on manual

allocation,

tinuous

means

Previous truck dispatching systems

The

July 1972,

thus

limiting

the deci391

sions

for

truck allocation to

situation
tions

as perceived

personnel

by

from

the

opera-

the

lookout

tower.

It was evident
rove upon
ching

that

in order

the previous

control

far

over

necessary

it

truck

would

and

be aware

tion and status at

thermore,
utilise

all

it would be

this

high

which

quirement

would

communicate
hauling
tions
basis.

be

input

in order

may be

given on

It was vital

shovel

important

compensated

for

the

terface

provision

system;

reporting;

and

for minimum input

personnel
latter

the

and equipment
of

these

was

adjusting.

The

then

the

system with one

defined

results of

in

ciency could be
4,7%

to

this

that

conclusively

Palabora's

showed

study

haul

truck

effi-

increased by between

8,6%.

The economic justification

impact

since

1973 has placed great

the need

on

of

to

value of

high

the Rand has

cement

haul

of ade-

mining

and

an

i n-

the

figure,

operators.

butable

requirements

making

by

area.

system

self-monitoring and self-

the

low

increased dra-

of new and replaThe overall

trucks.

costs

beneficiation

of which R141,2 m

look-out

truck

1985 amounted to some R285,7 m,

for

to

emphasis

haul

improve

Additionally,

efficiency.

costs

fuel

The

the

requirement

from both

could only be provided

392

just

the current mainten-

wi th

to compare

matically the cost

requirements of

quate production

which

sta-

when possible'.

system were

The

in

digging

quickly and effectively and not

ance

and

changes

crusher rates,

Less

to

sophisti-

broad specification.

to
re-

as

be

instruc-

tus,

'as and

best

in

The basis of

cated dispatch system.

study was

to

could

a more

that

equipment

be

from

con-

increase

truck efficiency that

anticipated

de-

consultants

such

(for example,

might

haul

1983 a

the potential

determine

real-time

that

mining

dispatching

loading

latter half of

current

state

rates)

to

the

further

input.

the

in order

that

directing

computer

the ability

unit

guideline for

based on

A further

with each

as a

specification

functional

by

the necessary

maximise production.

brief

ducted

Fur-

trucks

and

engineering

initial

to develop an

indivi-

to make decisions on how

allocate haul

order

simulation study was

times.

digital

in

tailed

necessary to

would contain

logic
to

speed

Broad concepts were drawn

in 1980.
up

commenced

these requirements

neces-

loca-

system

fying

satis-

system capable of

In

its

information as

process control

of

of a

availabi-

the

into

fleet.

be

sary to 'identify each truck

dually

imp-

greater and tighter

the haul

Accordingly,

to

truck dispat-

system it would be

exercise

Investigations
lity

Basic requirements of a fully computerised

system

to

Investigations into various systems and their

benefits

Given
tions,

mining

attributable

was

operation.

R71,7 m was directly

to
it

thus

single cost

these economic
potential

this

attri-

costs,

haulage
the highest

the

Of

considera-

payback on

MINING: CONTROL OF MINING OPERATIONS

system

which offered even the

mini(Ilum

increase in truck

tion

4,7% was extremely

of

bare

utilisafavour-

The projected savings,

able.

capital

ding
amounted

inclu-

savings,

cost

R14,83 m in 1985

to

Rand

figures.

DISPATCH is

control
vels,

Following project

tender,

in August

to Modular

Incorporated

Mining
Tucson,

of

of a

highly

specification
the contract,

name of

installed by Modular

Systems

is DISPATCH,

referred

to as

and

basic

aim

updated by manual
self-adjustment

June

Mining

it wi 11 be
the

haulage

patterns
of

is

to

for

shovels,

and crushers based upon

crusher
to

Simplex

truck hauling

digestion
determine

haulage model,
method

mea-

In

rates.
the

op t imum

DISPATCH employs
1 inear

program-

This optimum model

is regen-

of

erated when significant events

shovel

breakdowns

occur

or

is assumed to exist

therefore necessary to

secondary

dynamic assignment

to

that

ensure

steady

such
by

once every twenty minutes.

steady state
is

the

state

deviations
are

from

accounted

and

is

t his

i n for ma complex,

data base'

'pit

continually modified

and

entry

data

and

from measured para-

DISPATCH keeps
tion

of

track of

trucks

location

cons

are

points

in the pit,

are

placed

When a
shovel

other

assignment
utes or
is

An optimum

feature

1 i ke 1 y

taken

in

the

that

truck

for

all
an

few min-

assignment

truck.

It

particular

is

that

the efficiency

dispatching
future

events

operation
are

as

always

into consideration.

logic

signment

truck has received

and

is progressing

its destination,
t ion

alter-

within the next

so.

the

all

expected to request

dramatically enhances
of

haul

received

a s we 1 1 as

then given to

this

for

and

and

is

assignment,

trucks

key

on shovels

request

evaluated

units

various

at

assignments

native

both

Location bea-

surrounding dumps

roads.
for

of

the field control

truck drivers.

the

loca-

information

and

by the

on

the

by means

beacons

entered into

Once

for.

field

meters.

apply

the

tion is contained within a

and sys-

of DISPATCH

sured shovel digging,

it

All

which

this paper.

configuration

default

units.

followed

Basic means of operation

optimise

rele-

to all

received from the

detaIled

such throughout

remaining sections of

as

control

dispatching

the

system

ming.

to have access

purposely designed

The

order

it

is necessary

information

installation commenced in

and

to

finally

the award of

dumps

able

DISPATCH to be

with the contract

functional

given

In

channels.

including the pit

route
vant data,
network,
equipment status and other

Preparation

The

radio

two

invited

Arizona.

1985.

sho-

mo u n t e din all

truck allocation it

for

approval

awarded

Systems

tern

for

equipment

field

and crushers via

trucks

order

contact

suppliers were

various

being

units

UHF FM digital

to

to

onboard

radio

make accurate decisions with respect

System selection
1984,

the

wi th

in direct

it will

beacons en route.

A COMPUTERISED TRUCK DISPATCH SYSTEM AT PALABORA

an astowards

pass

loca-

Certain

of
393

beacons can be designated

these
act

reassignment

as

that

if

the validity of

original

assignment

evaluated,
given.
the

locations
that

has

will

shovel

fuel

so

nication

trucks
re-

been
can

be

usually occur

if

a new assignment

This

to

to which the

truck

if

in the

another shovel which was

truck,

character

a
on

interface panel.

The shovel operator

The

shovel

operator

the

same

facilities

driver,

except

to

he

that

to

is

and

truck

required

information

composites being

the

service.
loaded,

the

as

indicate to DISPATCH

pertaining

basically

has

pre-

viously on breakdown has returned to

During normal

is via

display

digital

the operator

Commu-

etc.

driver

with the

was

originally assigned has broken down,

or

32

put

the

when

loading of a

operation there will

truck has been completed.

always be circumstances which cannot

be

for

handled by DISPATCH itself,

instance
the

wrong

truck driver may

shovel

tor may push an

the

or a

operator

to

prompt

on

panel.

condition arise

wi 11

to

opera-

interface

such a

DISPATCH

shovel

incorrect button

operator

Should

go

the

then

lookout

take corrective action.

The crusher operator

The

primary function of

operator

is

There

stockpile he

and when

he commences

who

five

form key

effective
These

groups of personnel

links

in the

operation of

groups

drivers,

smooth and

the

comprise

shovel

operators,
mine

is

tion

lookout

truck

haul

operators,

crusher

operators
They

engineering.

will

and
be

basic

truck driver are

the

when

it

required of

actions
to

inform

is being

is required,

arrival

the dump and to

an

at

assignment

Other

input

relating

to

truck,

such

back

to

to confirm

the
as

state
downs

informa-

by

determine
trucks

the

to

DISPATCH

correct

the

crushers

the

correct

feed rate of

the ore shovels.

The nerve centre of

ation

is

Here

there

of
or

are

four

lookout

tower.

computer

ter-

2),

each

(see Figure

of which serves a different

function

in

assisting

operator

to

control

the

lookout

the mining operation.

Mine engineering
Mine

engineering personnel

ponsible

shovel.

guration

that

the haul
delays
of

for

DISPATCH
respect

the quantity

the entire oper-

the open pit

in use

request

is

required

being experienced,
394

shovel,

loaded, when a dump

assignment

latter

the

DISPATCH

truck arrives at

and finishes

The lookout operator

minals

The truck driver

when

to

to

tipping on

linear programming calcu-

hence

trucks

is

utilised

within its

and

The

DISPATCH

to

system.

considered in turn.

The

load.

crushing a

feed rate of
are

indicate

which ore

lations

Operators

to

the crusher

the upkeep

system,
to

the
data

composite data,
information,
operating

are resof

the

particularly with
primary pit

such as haul

confiroutes,

production equipment

etc.

systems,

As

with computer

DISPATCH has many

configurable system parameters which

MINING: CONTROL OF MINING OPERATIONS

Location beacons
Location
power

are

sma I I,

low

VHF transmitters

located

at

beacons

strategic points
system.

They

robust
less

result

of

the

compact
in a

and
stain-

usually remote

The effective

as

shown

range of

locaby

in Figure
the

As

elements.

are normally powered

solar panels,

is

route

for maximum protec-

their

they

sion

are

tube

against

tion

the haul

and are mounted

steel

t ion

in

3.

transmis
m

approximately 50

which

enables DISPATCH to determine accurately

the

whi ch

position

should

of

truck

any

specific

various

purposes

detect

beacon.
Beacons
and

may
a

has

a unique

the efficiency with which it

operates.
of

It

is

the responsibility

mine engineering

ensure
set

that

to

the

personnel

these parameters

optimise

dispatching

to
are

the efficiency of
operation

aI I

at

be

full

trolley

ciples

description of
and

DISPATCH
has bee n

theory

assignment

the

prin-

upon
logic

which

is

line

ca I I

reassignment,

shovel

are

located close

ensure

shovel
beacons

that
upon

any

truck
the

and
which

the shovels

and

order

to

allocation

is

respectively in

information
make

Of particular

the

to

or

arrive

auto

reassignment

crushers

beacon

beacon.

here

crusher
are

Each

defined as either

reassignment,

note

DISPATCH

to

identification code and

crusher

based

time s .

defined

number of ways.

point,

affect

be

in

can
FIGURE 2. The open pit lookout tower, showing the DISPATCH control terminals

serve

most

and allow
last-minute

up-to-date
DISPATCH

to

changes

if

based

g i v e n by Wh i t e a n dOl son. 6

Dispatch hardware
A

detailed

system
of

description

hardware

this paper.

of

the

is beyond the

scope

However,

&

reference Baker, Coburn

have

described fully
system and the

for

the

of

the

of

the associated hardware.

further
White

operation

functionality
FIGURE 3. A haul truck appIOaching a location beacon

A COMPUTERISED TRUCK DISPATCH SYSTEM AT PALABORA

395

and data entry via

radio

is a

The

keypad.

the

standard Motorola

Mitrek

voice radio.

Communications hardware
is achieved

Communication
use

of a

Two

repeaters,

cycle,

FIGURE 4. An operator interface panel for a haul truck

two channel

are

with the

UHF FM system.

both on a

located

100% duty

the

at

lookout

the

in

pit

close

to

the edge of

order

to

ensure good radio

cover-

age.
necessary,
at

its

before

final

the

truck arrives

destination.

means of an

Field control
trucks,

units

operators

wi th

versa.

The

consist

of

nel,

mounted

shovels and cru.shers

enable equipment
municate

are

DISPATCH

field

control

a vehicle

an operator

radio and a power

interface panel

to

oped specifically for efficient

vice

pa-

interface panel,

communications protocol

to as

The vehi-

ged

construction

three
tions,

often referred

'black box'

the

cards

to

beacon

is

and

cater for

of

rug-

Figure

operator

4)

The

central

vital

a Digital Equipment

is

memory,

16

B ME

control

the

32

Corporation
internal

of

point processor,

floating

three RAB1

ports,

ME hard

456

units and a TUBO Magnetic

system

The

drive.
delivered
memory,

interface panel

(see Figure 5)

computer

internal

of

but various operating system

(see

microprocessor

and

application

character display
memory
IV

tape

was originally

4 ME

with

necessitated

to

radio

Central computer hardware

disc
communi ca-

receiving and

contains a

er-

channel.

contains

signs monitoring.
The

devel-

on a

communication

VAX-11/7BO with
cle interface panel,

support-

ing a

ror-free

by

units

interface

supply.

is achieved

in

to com-

and

between the VAX and

field equipment

the

Field control units

all

Communication

and

upgrades

program

4 ME

further

the sharing of

page files

of

swap and

between two discs.

Dispatch software
All

of

the

stalled on the VAX is written in

'C'

for maximum system

but

the

majority

installed
written

396

software

the

field hardware

in Pascal

and Assembler.

system was first

led much of
between

of

efficiency,

in the

When the

FIGURE 5. Central computer room, showing system console,

VAX-ll/780, disc drives and communication
cabinet

in-

DISPATCH software

the

the

is

instal-

software distributed
various

mine

sites

MINING: CONTROL OF MINING OPERA nONS

around the world was

ever,

as more

systems

system

suppliers

ficulty

in

of

generic.

maintaining

whi Is t

a multitude

software

has

first

developing
The Palabora
undergone

therefore

enhancements within the

two years of

them aimed at

into a

own idiosyn-

st i I I

for others.

many radical

set

operation,

turning

package

configured

to

particularly

which can
any

suit

by

true

which
forms

language
loped

of

and

be

specific
This

is

system

the

is

now achieved
command

management

which can

many

the system

open cast mining operation.

reporting

dif-

experienced

software

of

were sold the

sites each with its

crasies

How-

be easily deve-

manipulated

mine

by

personnel.

aspects

originally
required a
isation,

delivered

Palabora

to

to

the crusher feed rate,

truck

wheel

training methods.
looked at

retorquing
These

will

in turn.

of

result of

the variable

the ore delivered to

crushers,
crusher

rapid
digestion

variations

steady

and balanced flow of

the

DISPATCH

crushers,

to

individual
the

for

crusher
measured

The digestion rate

loads

In

trucks

of

is determined from

elapsed time between the

signal

the

ensure

the

digestion rates need to be

parameters.

in

rates occur.

for

to

nature

the primary

order

truck to

tip

the

ready
in

the

load

has
rol-

In this way a

ling average digestion rate for each

crusher may be maintained.

Shiftchange strategy
Prior

to

PATCH,

shiftchange

ween
to

the

installation of DIStook place

bet-

approximately 10 minutes prior

the end of one shift

utes

into

the

start

and 10 minnext.

o f t he

Drivers

would invariably pace them-

selves

towards

shift

in

order

shiftchange

in

The means by
trucks
mine

to
if

the

end

to arrive
time I y

the

truck

could

load

and be

back

if not

take
at

not

shiftchange
Depen-

given.

rive at

uncommon for

trucks

to

it
ar-

shiftchange 30 minutes prior

the end of the

shiftchange
haul

the

the end of

upon specific cycle times,

was

to

at

change is to deter-

assignment would be
dent

the

fashion.

the

shift;

of

which DISPATCH assigns

shift

route

shift.

As

the

location was on a major

this caused disruption to

the normal

Crusher strategy
As

indicating that

from

interface

operator's

been digested.

the
system

the

certain degree of custom-

shiftchange,

be

panel

received

shiftchange area prior to

particularly the strategies

pertaining

and

of

signal

crusher

the

another

Palabora-specific features
Several

and a

crusher

traffic

It

there-

fore became necessary for all

trucks

which were
at

flow.

scheduled to arrive early

the shiftchange to

to a
they

smaller holding
would

not

assigned

be

location

affect

the

where
normal

traffic flow.

Truck retorquing
When haul

truck wheels

or replaced
the

haul

Bay after

it

the

A COMPUTERISED TRUCK DISPATCH SYSTEM AT PALABORA

first,
to

refitted

necessary

truck return to

load in order
nuts.

is

are

that

the Tyre

third and sixth

retorque

the wheel

This practice was previously

397

controlled

introduction of

the

system

was

simply

keeps

hauled

by

had
the

track

the

DISPATCH

of

last

it

assigns

tyre re-fitted and

appropriate

loads

the

truck since

the

the

DISPATCH,

automated.

truck to

that

However with

manually.

the

Tyre Bay at
This

time.

ensures

truck wheels are retorqued

the correct

time,

thus

increased safety and

DISPATCH to
down time
future

making

for

also allowing

account
when

at

for Tyre

looking

Bay

ahead

to

truck assignments.

FIGURE 6. Training of haul truck drivers under simulated

conditions
taken

by Modular

un t i 1

there was sufficient

knowledge and

Training methods
Training

of
identified as one of

was

the single most

important
the

be addressed if
be a

ness

of

small

Figure

several weeks prior

on site of

of

the

This

shovel

shovel

unit

6)

to

majority
simulator
truck

and

16k microcomputer.

driven

by

In this

operators and truck dri-

vers could be trained in the correct

their

respective dispatching

several

equipment

start-up,
could

weeks
and

prior

any

be addressed

such as

well

in

other

lookout operators,

instrumentation technicians,

and

so

took place during system instal-

lation and start-up, with full

398

to

problem

The training of all

advance.

rage of

from

that

tends

DISPATCH

all

to

job interest.

System support

to

request

Palabora's

small

on,

arise

for

the

DISPATCH

the United States

(see

panel

personnel

enhance

may in part

1 ink

this

field

areas

fact

dri-

is

the hardware.

system

the

truck

so f tware

up

use of

This

verso

the haul

problem

the arrival

way

cularly amongst

support

consisted

parti-

the system has been good,

Supplier

was developed at

of

most

of

in-house

Acceptance

ability.

with the system correctly.

simulator

and set

to

truck drivers

In order to address
a

project was

personnel

the ability and willing-

the haul

interact

to

The area

success.

concern was

factors

Mining

cove-

key aspects being under-

to

achieved via

phone
over

1200 baud phone modem.

Assistance is

available on a

per day basis

24 hour

situations

for

normal

running

on a

telephone

the

Updates

files

incorporated

dispatching

regular basis

the form of

difference

the

are

re-

fore

then

are

Compi-

the source
in

code

is

thereThis

Palabora.

sending difference

f i 1e s

opposed to entire updates

signi-

method
as

code

the source

into

carried out

code

source

which

re-

via

resident on Palabora's VAX.

lation of

the

affect

updates are

1 ink.

in

ceived

of

System

operation.
ceived

which

of

ficantly
and
ponse

reduces

telephone

charges

provides for a more rapid

to

the rectification

of

resany

system software bugs.

MINING: CONTROL OF MINING OPERATIONS

The

tion

system was originally

factors

4,7%

on

increase

efficiency.

justified

in haul

Installation

truck

commenced

in July 1985 and in November of

year

that

this objective was achieved

the placing of

four

by

trucks on perma-

reduction

in the

fleet

size

without

any

noticeable

After

12 months

enhancement

of debugging and

detailed

performed in order
precise

increase

cy.

Two

mined

in detail

part

first

of

three-month
the

the

second part

iod

subsequent

efficien-

the

culated

to

give

production
compared

as
to

they

which

the

facet

prior

DISPATCH,

installation

the

same

cal-

level

achieved

t h e ' truck time'

of
was

rates,

data

these

tion

levels

historical
This

duction

these

ally

factor

in dumping

7,07% higher

period prior

to

than

on

prompt

have of

being

to be

use-

is run automatic-

action,

in

order

such as a

change

location,

may be

taken if

necessary.
Prior

any mining oper-

to

the

installation

it was very

difficult

in the

ally during

and

and

operations

just

of
to

when there were excessive

the understand-

the

pro-

in the development

being utilised effectively,

that management

if

achieved.

efficiency

personnel
and

were

trucks

is as good as

limiting

the produc-

Analysis of mining operation

ation

of

the

installation.

of

The

which could be met

report

determine

ing

are

an hourly basis

DISPATCH

The

values.

good results are

The

utilisation

was

factors

still

yet

that

of

Historical

obtained and are proving

ful.

rates and

comparison again-

rates

is

stage,

actua-

installation

factors

form of quantification of

showed

the

digging

production by evaluating

each period

DISPATCH

The

is

then determines which

current

figures

to

operation

currently measured

two

subsequent

shovel

is accumulated for

The ratio of

truck

the

exactly

from previous production files

available.

the

of

order

weighed against each other are haul-

lly

that

in

determine

production.

PEP report

'truck time'

that

for

personnel

may

performance.

three-month per-

The

operating

st

just

This

utility is designed specifically for

historically

study covered

Palabora's

(PEP) .

crusher digestion rates.

installation of

of DI SPATCH.

Procedure

that

Performance

the

of

to

the

to determine

period

to

as

Of

utility

age

using

The

is a

was

mining periods were exa-

measures

investigated.

jointly at

known

limiting

any

study

in truck

accepted

be

developed

limiting

loss of production.

that

note

Evaluation

that

4,8%

may

request,

truck

This represented
haul

was

mine

standby.

order

particular

nent

in

Determination of system benefits

field which were

the period

after blasting

not

especi-

leading up

to

operations.

bottlenecks

The PEP utility now provides

lookout

restrictions within the produc-

personnel with the necessary

inform-

tion

cycle.

DISPATCH

utilities which permit

nation

of

all

has
close

aspects of

various
exami-

the opera-

ation

to decide when trucks may

parked

without

be

adversely affecting

production.

A COMPUTERISED TRUCK DISPATCH SYSTEM AT PALABORA

399

Other more
have

subjective benefits

come about

tation

of

material

are

accountability,

planning and operational

the

implemen-

from the

DISPATCH

Damage
nents

enhanced

if

and

short-term

Future developments
There

are

a multitude of

tions

that

are scheduled for

three

are

applicafuture

worthy

of

particular note.

sufficient warning

running conditions
signs

tal

Haul

24 hours

on a

fixed rota system.

certain occasions trucks

the

fuel

bay with an almost

tank of diesel,
of

usually as a

significant

equipment

within

the preceding

order

to

make

efficient
the

equipment

cases.

DISPATCH has

monitoring up

low.

that

this will

It

be

more

by

each

schedule

anticipated

refuelling

stops

Tyre TKPH monitoring and control

All

on

tyre

amount
in

sible

specific

time frame

to calculate the
and base future

reduce

arduous haul

it

each piece

of
conas

temperature or voltage
long as
the

it

is

necessary

alarms are processed by

the field control

in

unit.

Conclusion
Since
the

the

installation of DISPATCH

system

terms of

has

proven

itself

tighter and more

truck control.

The

efficient

information gen-

erated by DISPATCH permits the

lysis

of

Palabora's mining

tion to a

level

ible before.

the

of detail

operaposs-

terms

future

was
rea-

the challenge

is how best

this extremely powerful

of

the

which the system

justified has been

However,

advantage

ana-

not

In financial

upon

in

to

optimise

tool

those more

for

to

take

subjective

and often not-thought-of aspects.

is pos-

TKPH

Acknowledgement

value

truck

asfor

in order

this TKPH value and hence

temperature of

400

cycle

the

truck with-

signments upon the requirement

less

of

impact

By determining

of work done by a

attained

level

truck has a great

life.

the capability

Signs monitoring board

the Vital

lised.

ton kilometre per hour

haul

for

to generate

originally

each

many

to 32 analogue and

monitored as

payback

to approximately every 36 hours.

The

to

Any condition such

unit.

In

increase the average

between

in

fitted with a field

signal.

determine

used

is

damage

equipment

possible

refuelling when the fuel

is

interval

system

automatically

level

warning

alarms

at

result

equipment

32 digital

can

Vi-

downtime

wi 11

of fuel

and

trucks for

the necessary

On

f u 11

24 hours.

the

DISPATCH

amount

truck

arrive

abnormal

of

monitoring of

oil pressure,

trucks are refuelled once every

reduced

is provided.

prevent

of

compo-

can be significantly

trol

Truck refuelling

truck and shovel

to

provides

scenarios.

development,

Vital signs monitoring

improved

control

ability to simulate

mining

to

a
to

the

The

author

management
Company

for

wishes
of

to

thank

Palabora

permission to

the

Mining
publish

this paper.

the tyres.

MINING: CONTROL OF MINING OPERATIONS

References
1.

CROSSON, C.C.

Evolutionary

velopment of

In-6t.
A,

of

vo I.

vol.

de-

TILan-6.
TILan-6/sect.

93,

April

1984,

pp.

136,

Mag.

Min.

control.

February 1977, pp.

74-

82.

Palabora.

Min. Metatt.

truck

5.

Palabora Mining Company Limited.

Assorted

A58-A69.

memoranda

and

unpub-

lished reports.
2.

FAUQUIER,
and

Trim

G.P.

blasting

double benching for steeper

slopes

and competent

PMC.

En g. & Mi n. ] n t.

April

1983,

pp.

walls
v 0 I.

6.

at

WHITE,

Computer-based
mines

18 4 ,

LILL,
WADE,
to

GLIDDON,

J .W. ,

G.C.

meet

80' s.

J.P.

and

the challenge

of

the

Delivered at SME conferFebruary

dispatching

no.

Mi n En 9 .

11, Nov.

in

vo I.

1986, pp.

1045-

1054.

7.

BAKER,
WHITE,
and

M.R.,
J.W.

COBURN,

truck

C.C.

system

and MOFFAT, W.G.

so f tware

open

pit

Am T IL a n -6

Palabora system

Dec.

1983, pp.

vo I.

in
mine

In-6tILum.

dispatching.

S 0 c.

A COMPUTERISED TRUCK DISPATCH SYSTEM AT PALABORA

and

considerations

M.J.H.

TONKING,

J.W.

Hardware,

computer-based

1987.

CROSSON,

J.P.

Palabora - Changing

ence, Denver, Colorado,

4.

OLSON,

with concurrent operating

ob j e c t i v e s .

46-52.

38,
3.

and

J .W.

2,

no.

4,

401