Mine safety systems original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Booyco Electronics says the implementation of Level 9 vehicle interventions for collision avoidance at mines remains uneven across the industry, despite having become mandatory since 2022.

The Level 9 collision avoidance systems standard requires electronic proximity detection systems (PDS) to signal the trackless mobile machinery (TMM) in mines when detecting threats from other vehicles, machinery, objects and pedestrians, thereby activating the engineering control.

This system elevates safety when the OEM takes mechanical control to stop or slow down vehicles, which significantly improves on the prior standards that provided only warning or advice for operators.

However, the implementation of Level 9 PDS interventions have been varied, mostly owing to the necessary behaviour changes required, says Booyco Electronics CEO Anton Lourens.

Equipment operators and stakeholders are often reluctant to embrace new technology that can potentially cause unnecessary stoppages and production delays, he says.

However, Lourens emphasises the importance of leadership, cross-departmental collaboration and proper training to ensure the successful deployment and use of PDS systems. This includes avoiding “PDS fatigue”, whereby operators become desensitised to PDS warnings and start to ignore them.

To aid in the further adoption of Level 9 PDS, Booyco Electronics offers an operational-readiness assessment that highlights potential impacts on operations and pedestrian safety, which enables mines to achieve seamless Level 9 adoption of PDS and collision avoidance.

Lourens highlights that PDS is not only about installing technology but also integrating it into a mine’s daily activities and safety systems and, with appropriate traffic management plans, PDS can support, rather than disrupt, operations.

He believes that the involvement of all the departments of a mine, including finance and human resources, can boost the overall acceptance of PDS and reduce unnecessary work stoppages for long-term safety sustainability.

Change Management

Lourens stresses the importance of having buy-in from employees and seeking their input on system refinements.

PDS requires a systemic process of change management by all involved, as such management is the bridge that closes the disconnect between technology and people.

“Without structured change management, resistance to new protocols can undermine the system’s effectiveness,” he states.

Lourens says despite the varied implementation of PDS across mine sites in South Africa, the Level 9 standard positions South Africa as a leader in mine safety innovation globally.

Meanwhile, Booyco Electronics deploys PDS systems that match the organisational and environmental context of mine sites, whether they be underground, surface, hard-rock or coal mines.

The company’s PDS offerings are tailored to vehicle specification, operational requirements and TMM braking standards.

Lourens explains that warning zones of the PDS system can be adjusted to the specific requirements of the working area and to accommodate a range of different equipment.

The system works by visually and audiblywarning pedestrians and equipment operators of approaching and moving machinery when either party enters a preset danger zone.

Sensors on pedestrians and on trackless underground mining machines communicate point-to-point using radio frequency identification, while wheeled equipment in surface operations uses GPS technology.

PDS systems can also be supported by cameras to see a larger area, as another sensing layer.

While it is preferable to operationally separate humans from machines as far as possible, some sites have, for example, diesel refilling areas where people are required to interact with machines, thereby requiring different risk mitigation measures.

As an added benefit, Booyco Electronics’ PDS events can be analysed using the company’s BEAMS (Electronics Asset Management System) software suite to identify patterns of unsafe behaviour or unproductive use of assets. This allows for optimised fleet and equipment management, resulting in reduced stoppages and risks.

Lourens says a PDS system can be integrated with other mine systems to leverage additional value-added capabilities such as production monitoring and vehicle health tracking.

He remains confident that South Africa’s mining industry is committed to achieving zero harm, including through the increased deployment of Level 9-compliant PDS systems.