The Digital@Exxaro (D@E) programme was established in 2018 to create a safe work environment while generating value for Exxaro through the use of modern digital technologies and techniques. The programme offers employees digital tools to manage and execute work effectively, while providing the necessary future skills to continue to build our business resilience.

What does this mean for you?

“We want to be a data driven organisation where data and advanced analytics enables quick and insightful decision making at all levels. An operator should be able to see, in real time, whether they are going to reach their daily target and make changes if necessary, similarly a marketing specialist should be able to optimise deal value based on the latest market intelligence. We have created visibility of key areas in our operations to ensure that decisions are made with the
intention to optimise the value chain and not create area silos.” Hloniphile Ngobese, Manager Business Optimisation

Exxaro is using digital technology to drive efficiencies, improve productivity and enhance safety across its mining operations.

Through the use of digital tools, we have been able to realise value by:

  • Providing our employees with tools and data that enable them to manage their resources better and safely, while reducing waste in the process.
  • Improving coal production and sales
  • Improving our ways of work through enhanced communication and engagement with management enabled by the digital platforms available in the era we live in.
  • Improving how we manage our costs. 

This has been demonstrated by the exceptional improvement results we have achieved from initiatives like performance dashboards, BlastLogic, Thickener Smart Control, Underground WIFI and connected worker initiatives, to mention a few.

“Digital@Exxaro is a strategic imperative to ensure the sustainability of our Minerals business during these disruptive and complex times we operate in. While we have felt the impact of the programme quantitatively through improved production, sales and better cost management, our programme has a huge qualitative aspect like being able to proactively identify risks and respond quicker. We have created a safer workplace, improved the morale of employees while ensuring that we remain good corporate citizens through our sustainability initiatives.” Kgabi Masia, MD of Minerals.

Grootegeluk complex (GCC) blasts its ways into the digital age with BlastLogic

Is it possible to implement a single system with the ability to guide data collection, management, and analysis? This was the question Grootegeluk Mine posed in 2019, when it launched the BlastLogic Proof of Concept, with the support of the Mining technology firm Maptek. Today, GGC is reaping the benefits of the BlastLogic technology – one of the first Digital@Exxaro initiatives to be implemented at GGC.

What is BlastLogic?

BlastLogic is an advanced drill and blast reconciliation solution that enhances existing drilling and blasting management systems and processes. The GGC Mining Development team has been instrumental in acting as both the technical experts on the system and the change agents leading its implementation. The solution has now been fully handed over to Mining Line Management, led by the Mining Manager.

How has it helped GGC achieve its goals?

GGC had never been able to undertake drillhole validation in real time to see how the as-built holes were complying to design.
Thanks to a direct interface between BlastLogic and the drill navigation systems, an automated live import of as-built drillhole data is created for analysis, allowing GGC to take full advantage of as-built drilled information.

What other ways is BlastLogic helping GGC?

Continuous learning, record-keeping, drill and charge validation, floor projection and fragmentation prediction have also been very beneficial to the mine.

Top benefits of BlastLogic include:

Eliminates manual data entry, saving time, preserving data integrity, and increasing safety for operators.
Flags calibration errors and functionality issues on the drill navigation system.
Dynamically updates drill and blast plans in the field.
Communicates directly with Enaex IBIS smart truck systems used on the mine to control explosives loading.
Creates a single source of truth to help teams better understand the mine status in real time to facilitate ongoing improvement.
Enables drill and blast elements, QA/QC, charging processes and firing data to be automatically tracked.

What are the plans going forward?

GGC aims to use the BlastLogic system to:

  • cut drilling and blasting costs even further,
  • improve quality control process, and
  • provide auditable records of all drill and blast activities.

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