A leading nickel mining customer in Sulawesi recently conducted a successful Proof of Concept (POC) for the MineSafe Collision Avoidance System (CAS), aimed at enhancing mine safety. This initiative reflects the operator’s commitment to improving operational safety and reducing the risk of vehicle-related incidents across its site.
Background & Objectives
The site’s existing CAS technology was limited to in-pit trucks. To further strengthen safety, the company sought a solution deployable across all mobile equipment, including support vehicles and machinery operating outside the pit. The MineSafeCAS, equipped with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, was selected for its high precision and ease of integration with existing systems.
POC Execution
The POC involved installing MineSafeCAS hardware on two vehicle types: a CAT 777 truck and a FAW 290 dump truck. Anchors were strategically placed, and warning systems—such as strobes and alarms—were installed in the FAW cabin to provide audible and visual alerts.
Three key test scenarios were carried out:
- Head-on encounter between two trucks
- Rear approach from one truck to another
- Intersection crossing between trucks
Each scenario was assessed across three detection zones:
- Danger (0–20 meters)
- Warning (20–35 meters)
- Caution (35–50 meters)
Scenario 1 (Head-on encounter between two trucks)
Scenario 2 (Rear approach from one truck to another)
Scenario 3 (Intersection crossing between trucks)
Results
All tests returned PASS results across various criteria, including:
- Immediate alarm response
- Consistent detection at speeds between 10–20 km/h
- Accurate zone-based alerts (light and sound)
- Device shutdown upon power cut
- Proper MAC address detection and alert recognition
The system demonstrated stable performance, aligning with both hardware topology and software configuration requirements.
Conclusion & Recommendations
The MineSafeCAS POC met all expectations, confirming the system’s reliability and potential for broader deployment. Notably, the evaluation team recommended:
- Integration of event logging for incident analysis
- Customization of alarm sounds and alert types
- Seamless connection with the site’s existing CAS and Fleet Management System (FMS)
This successful implementation represents a major advancement in the site’s safety roadmap—paving the way for smarter, more responsive, and data-driven mining operations.
