Blackrock underground batching automation completed

July 2003 System Integration & Control Systems Design

Systems integration specialist, Associated Systems, recently completed the automation of the underground batching process at Assmang Blackrock mine, near Kuruman in the Northern Cape.

The contract involved upgrading from a manually controlled operation to a fully automated system. Due to the continuous process, throughput of raw manganese ore has been effectively doubled.

With significant experience in batching, Associated Systems placed specific emphasis on designing a cost effective, simplified, operator-friendly system. All dedicated software was written in-house based on the Schneider Modicom PLC and Magelis operator panel. Manufacture of the electrical instrumentation panels, installation and commissioning was completed within six weeks from order placement, working 18 hours a day during shutdown periods.

Mined manganese ore is weighed in two hopper bins. Once the pre-selected setpoint is reached, the ore pass gates are closed and the ore is discharged into the skip for transport to the surface. Communication between PLC and the main control in the driver cabin is via RS485 Modbus interface.

Display information available includes actual mass of bins, daily accumulative total for each bin as well as total throughput for the previous 24 hours. The surface operator can set setpoints for automatic loading of the amount of tonnage required to load per hopper.

For more information contact José Permuy, Associated Systems, 011 477 2572.

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