After launching Nerospec OSCON last year with the first successful Level 9 machine intervention system, we now find ourselves addressing a new layer of safety. One that begins well before a proximity event even takes place. The focus for 2016 is machine behaviour on steep declines, where speed control and brake reliability are critical.
We are currently deploying our solution at a platinum mine in Zimbabwe, part of one of the largest platinum producers in the world. The mine’s layout includes multiple steep decline portals; each used daily by a wide range of machines. These inclines have become a source of continuous mechanical failures and rising maintenance costs, particularly affecting prop shafts and braking systems.
Runaway machines, brake overheating, and excessive component wear are all risks that compromise safety and slow production. The mine needed an automated way to enforce speed limits and apply controlled braking before these problems occurred.
Our response has been the development and rollout of Speed Brake Interlock, or SBI. This safety function is designed to ensure that machines entering steep declines maintain safe operating speeds, reduce mechanical strain, and eliminate the risk of uncontrolled descent.
The solution is currently being deployed across a mixed fleet of 300 machines. These include drill rigs, bolters, load haul dump machines, light duty vehicles, utility carriers, and more. The system integrates directly into our existing OSCON platform, giving us control over throttle and brake systems in real time.
SBI does more than just monitor. It enforces. Every machine is configured with three individual speed profiles based on its type, one for incline, one for decline, and one for level travel. This ensures that the system responds not only to the terrain but also to the intended operating characteristics of the specific machine. This level of control removes reliance on operator judgement alone and brings consistency across the fleet.
The solution is also fully compatible with mixed fleets and various machine manufacturers, making it scalable and adaptable to different mine layouts, equipment types, and operational needs. By applying braking or controlling throttle when safe operating parameters are exceeded, it reduces wear, improves productivity, and most importantly, keeps people and machines safe.