BRINGING LONGWALLS TO THE SURFACE

KOMATSU IS OPTIMISING REMOTE OPERATIONS OF UNDERGROUND SHEARERS THROUGH NEXT-GENERATION SOFTWARE.

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The Australian mining industry has already proven that haul-truck fleets, drill rigs and even crushing circuits can be run from hundreds of kilometres away. With surface control now commonplace, the next evolution has been shaped by the voice of the operators themselves, extending remote reach right to the coal face by putting every shearer command onto screens in the remote operations room.

A new generation of software, Komatsu's longwall command and control (LCC) and soft remote operator interface, available on a computer or rugged Android tablet, is turning the shearer into a truly digital asset that can be driven, diagnosed and optimised from a surface-based remote operations room.

Through a combination of advanced web-based controls, LCC is removing operators from hazardous environments and enabling remote equipment management. This solution allows for centralised management of mining equipment while protecting workers and enhancing site safety.

Adding to this efficiency is Komatsu’s soft remote operations.