Category: Uncategorized

Manual v Digital series: Shift Allocation

This week we’re discussing the benefits to Shift Allocation as we continue to contrast Manual vs. Digital in our Mine Digitization and Automation series, making the case that a move from paper-based to digital benefits everyone.  Planning for a shift starts well before the crews come in to work. Long-range production goals, monthly targets, and […]

Introduction to Manual vs Digital Series

We’re back with the Mine Digitization and Automation series. For the past several installments, we’ve discussed the progression through the five levels of our Strategic Roadmap, and it’s time to take a closer look at what moving through these levels might look like from a process perspective for your planners, managers, and crews. But let’s […]

How Safety Managers save at least one month per year with LMS

Safety Managers who rely on Groundhog LMS know first-hand how much time they can save, while improving job site safety across the board on their mine site. They have come to see LMS as a force multiplier because it helps them reduce lost time, integrate departments, plan out training courses, and onboard new staff efficiently. […]

The advantages of having Wi-Fi in an underground mine

Groundhog Wireless internet connectivity, or Wi-Fi, has become ubiquitous in many industries and environments. Still, one area that has needed to be faster to adopt this technology is the mining industry. However, there are several benefits to implementing Wi-Fi in an underground mine that can improve safety, productivity, and overall operations. This blog will explore some of the key advantages of Wi-Fi in an underground mine. Improved communication: One of the most significant benefits of Wi-Fi in an underground mine is improving communication. In an underground mine, communication is critical to ensure workers' safety and equipment's efficient operation. Wi-Fi can provide a reliable and robust communication network that lets workers stay in touch with each other and the surface. Communication can be vital in emergencies, where timely communication can save lives. Operators can report accidents more quickly. Response teams can access the information they require promptly. It also reduces bottlenecks or delays during emergency response operations, ultimately enabling better incident and hazard management. Improved Safety: Another key benefit of Wi-Fi in an underground mine is improved safety. Wi-Fi can enable advanced safety technologies, such as real-time asset tracking and monitoring of workers and equipment. Real-time tracking can help to identify potential safety hazards and take preventative measures before accidents occur. Wi-Fi can also enable underground self-driving equipment in high-risk mining areas, drone surveys, and other remote-controlled equipment, reducing the need for workers to enter potentially dangerous areas. Miners can now use wearable technologies to monitor their vital signs while undertaking heavy work enabling mining companies to have an enhanced understanding of the health of their employees. With access to Wi-Fi, a wide range of cloud-based systems become available. For instance, safety LMS systems can help operators access material quickly and ask related queries in real time. Advanced operator data collected in real-time enables improved performance and microlearning, creating personalized learning plans. These innovative systems and technologies also improve safety standards in mines significantly. Enhanced Productivity: By enabling workers to communicate more effectively and providing real-time data on equipment and operations, Wi-Fi can optimize mining processes and reduce downtime, ultimately leading to increased productivity and reduced costs. Faster shift allocation: With real-time data, the status of each location, equipment, and personnel can be known and accessed via the surface at any time. Shift managers can plan their shift tasks accurately ahead of time or use AI-based shift allocation to allocate tasks saving a significant amount of time during shift allocation. Improved face utilization - Better scheduling using real-time data and better communication between supervisors and operators help improve face utilization significantly. Optimized fleet management: Real-time data allows real-time tracking of equipment location and equipment data, such as engine hours and fuel consumption. Tracking this data aids in monitoring ESG goals and optimizes material movement, loading and hauling cycle times, etc. AI-powered routing and traffic management can aid in collision detection and load and haul cycles optimization of load and haul cycles. The Wi-Fi network allows for integrating various IoT sensors, allowing you to automatically obtain payload data and other data while eliminating human/operator errors. Better maintenance and inventory management: Real-time data can optimize maintenance management, helping you respond quickly to setbacks and delays, schedule & communicate planned maintenance effectively, predict issues in advance, and ultimately extend the life of your fleet while cutting costs. It increases productivity by allowing operators to spend less time on paperwork. It aids management by providing data visualization and a clear vision. Ultimately, this leads to increased productivity. Improved data collection and analysis: Data is critical to optimizing mining operations, and Wi-Fi can help to improve data collection and analysis. By providing real-time data on equipment and operations, Wi-Fi can enable mining companies to identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings. This data can also be used to improve equipment maintenance and reduce downtime. Better quality of life for workers: Finally, Wi-Fi can also improve the quality of life for workers in an underground mine. Wi-Fi can enable workers to stay connected with family and friends while underground, reducing feelings of isolation and improving morale. It can also provide access to entertainment and educational content, helping to make the long hours spent underground more bearable. In conclusion, Wi-Fi can provide numerous benefits to underground mines, including improved communication, increased safety, enhanced productivity, improved data collection and analysis, and a better quality of life for workers. While there may be some challenges to implementing Wi-Fi in an underground mine, such as ensuring reliable coverage and addressing security concerns, and cost to implement, the potential benefits are significant. They can make a real difference in mining operations.

Wireless internet connectivity, or Wi-Fi, has become ubiquitous in many industries and environments. Still, one area that has needed to be faster to adopt this technology is the mining industry. However, there are several benefits to implementing Wi-Fi in an underground mine that can improve safety, productivity, and overall operations. This blog will explore some […]

How a Mining Foreman Saves Time Each Day

When you’re a foreman at a mine, you’re responsible for almost everything that happens on-site. The safety and well-being of the crew are top of the list, and the LMS system is a big part of keeping this key priority front and center. GroundHog’s LMS system and other solutions for safety and operations bring advanced […]

Roadmap for Digitization & Automation Part II

Groundhog: Roadmap for Digitization & Automation - Part 1

Last time in our Mine Digitization and Automation series, we discussed developing a five-level strategic roadmap to guide and support your digital transformation initiative, starting at Level 1 or the Capture level.  For approximately three (3) months, you will have launched trials and started to look closely at your processes, data formatting and collection, and […]

Roadmap for Digitization & Automation – Part 1

Groundhog: Roadmap for Digitization & Automation - Part 1

We’ve introduced Change Management into our Mine Digitization and Automation series, talked about the importance of knowing what pain points you were hoping to solve with a digital transformation, and how you might need to manage expectations around the downsides of change. And there will be more to come.  As we’ve indicated in past blogs, […]

Why Fleet Managers Should Care About Fuel Tracking

Why Fleet Managers Should Care About Fuel Tracking

Welcome back to our Mine Digitization and Automation series, where we share proven strategies to fuel your digital transformation. As we covered in Part 1: Why Fleet Managers should track Equipment Utilization, a good digital transformation plan encompasses many layers and a plethora of sustainable mining practices. In our series, we will continue to show you […]

GroundHog Launches New Inventory Management System for Store Parts in a Mine

GroundHog Launches New Inventory Management System for Store Parts in a Mine

GroundHog, a leading provider of mine digitization and automation software, is pleased to announce the launch of its new inventory management system for store parts in a mine.  This system is designed to help mining companies streamline their inventory processes and improve overall efficiency.  The system provides real-time inventory data, allowing mines to quickly identify […]

Introduction to Change Readiness Part II

GroundHog: Introduction to Change Readiness Part II

Last time in our Mine Digitization and Automation series, we started to delve into the change management aspect of your digital transformation. As you probably noted, this change management effort is best started before or concurrently with your decision to pursue new technological advantages, because you need to know if you are truly ready, and […]