COMPUTERIZED VEHICLE DISPATCHING GOES UNDERGROUND

Modular Mining's computerized LHD position monitoring and dispatching system commenced operation at the De Beers Finsch Mine in mid-1991. A sophisticated blend of proven and new technologies links the dispatche r at the workstation console on the surface with the LHD operators sev eral hundred metres below. The dispatcher allocates each LHD to a prio rity tip and loading drive based on instructions provided by the miner s and shift bosses underground. LHD operators receive tip and loading drive allocations on the vehicle computer console which communicates d ata via a Leaky Feeder radio network. The operators interact with the console to notify the dispatcher of delays, breakdowns, and changes in tip and tunnel status. The underground terminal displays allow shift bosses to monitor the progress of the LHDs as they pass infrared beaco ns (IRs) located in the tips, loading drives, and rim tunnel main haul age ways. The terminals also provide on-line statistics for the curren t and previous shifts. Future enhancements include optimized dispatchi ng and interfacing to a PLC system controlling ventilation. Further, t oken ring-based loop UHF radios are being investigated as an alternati ve to the Leaky Feeder data radio network.