How Mines Can Effectively Streamline Operations

In industries like mining, logistics, and commodities, efficient operations are essential to maintain secure access, compliance, and asset protection. These industries typically face operational challenges that include access control, truck scheduling, gate timing (between sites and within sites), seal management, safe loading, and route validation.

It should be clear then, adds Mark Lilje, a director at Nimbus Solutions, that operational delays, theft, and non-compliance with regulations can disrupt workflows, increase costs, and jeopardise a company’s reputation.

“To this end, the Nimbus Solutions Commodities-Workflow Solution empowers companies with full control and visibility over the movement of goods, vehicles, and personnel. It further ensures monitoring and optimisation from loading to delivery, thereby reducing delays and enhancing security for a seamless workflow,” he says.

“Generally, the solution is deployed at the mine – the point where the product is dispatched from – and is usually also applicable at the port or siding, where the product is offloaded. As part of the visibility it delivers, the solution is equally effective for mines in respect of issues like access control and visitor management.”

Lilje explains that the solution is provided in the form of a Platform-as-a-Service solution. This mobile and web application seamlessly integrates with mobile scanners, boom gates, weigh bridges, and radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, he adds, effectively streamlining a mine’s operations.

“It also integrates seamlessly with existing systems to provide real-time monitoring, secure access, and operational efficiency across sites. For example, transporters/trucks and drivers are pre-cleared and scheduled to allow access; real-time validation takes place at the point of entry; and integration with the weighbridge and camera systems means that every step of the process is date-, time- and location-stamped, allowing for analysis of durations associated with any individual, vehicle, or location.

“When coordinating truck schedules, ensuring secure access, or maintaining compliance with health and safety standards, inefficiencies can lead to costly delays, security breaches, and compliance risks. Nimbus offers a comprehensive suite of services that address these challenges, helping mines to run more smoothly, safely, and efficiently.”

He notes that the number of vehicles allowed on-site may be controlled and the reporting currently includes extensive standard reports, while additional reports may be configured on demand. Furthermore, real-time alerts are sent to responsible individuals to attend to situations requiring their level of authority.

“Obviously, every site or operation faces its own unique risk and safety challenges that need to be catered for. The Nimbus Solution includes a large set of standard tasks or procedures, but is also thoroughly customisable. This means that, by design, it is still able to meet the varied needs and demands of a wide range of customers within the mining and logistics spaces,” says Lilje.