Introduction of Innovative Equipment in Mining: Impact on Productivity

Boudreau-Trudel, Bryan; Zaras, Kazimierz; Nadeau, Sylvie; Deschamps, Isabelle

doi:10.4236/ajibm.2014.41006

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…This abrupt change in the mode of execution of the task was beneficial in terms of OHS. However, its impact on productivity was quite different [20]. The rules identified confirmed the difficulty of obtaining even moderate improvements as soon as one or more modifications change even part of the mode of execution of the task.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Each project was compared to the equipment group in use over the 12-month period prior to the innovation project. Two precious studies measured the projects performance (see [20] for productivity and [21] for OHS.) Based on the results of these studies, we constructed scales for each of the performance indicators used in the present study, as shown below in Table 2.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Innovative Mining Equipment: Key Factors for Successful Implementation

Boudreau-Trudel¹,

Nadeau²,

Zaras³

2015

AJIBM

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With increasing social pressures over the past two decades, mining companies have become more concerned with occupational health and safety (OHS). This change in mentality has had an impact on the choice of new equipment introduced underground. Introduction of innovative mining equipment must now meet the double challenge of improving both productivity and OHS. However, innovative equipment does not by itself ensure success. The aim of this study is to identify the key factors that underlie successful introduction of new equipment in underground mines. We used a multi-attribute decision-aid tool, namely the dominance-based rough-set approach. Ten innovative equipment projects carried out in an underground mine in Quebec were analysed. The tool allowed simultaneous identification of the most relevant factors and critical thresholds thereof to establish levels of performance based on four indicators, namely cost per meter drilled, cost per hour of use, availability ratio and accident rate. Two factors were found most relevant to all four indicators of performance: the skill requirement and acceptance of the equipment by the operators. Seat quality was identified as a contributor to improving accident rate, while standardisation of the new equipment relative to the old contributed to productivity. Taking into consideration these key factors and their critical threshold values will help the directors of the participating mine to meet with success in terms of both productivity and OHS in future introduction of innovative equipment projects.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Innovative Mining Equipment: Key Factors for Successful Implementation

Boudreau-Trudel¹,

Nadeau²,

Zaras³

2015

AJIBM

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“…In view of this, we suggest that future research focus on identifying the mechanisms and conditions that are involved when the introduction of innovation does help to reduce the IR. Furthermore, the success of implementation of machinery with novel technology may also be influenced by numerous human factors [14] [21] [32] [33], of which the key ones remain to be identified and measured.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction of Innovative Equipment in Mining: Impact on Occupational Health and Safety

Boudreau-Trudel

Nadeau

Zaras

et al. 2014

OJSST

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Occupational health and safety in mining has clearly improved in developed countries over the past twenty years, but accidents and illness still occur with unacceptable frequency. The arrival of new mining equipment, bigger, more powerful and complex and requiring a higher skill level appears also to increase certain specific risks of accident and work-related illness. The objective of this paper is to examine the impact of new equipment on occupational health and safety in underground mining. The injury rate associated with eight equipment introduction projects was examined. The results show clearly that the introduction of new equipment with technological innovations does not automatically reduce the injury rate. The new equipment may even generate a higher injury rate than the equipment it replaced. Ergonomic deficiencies were noted in some of the new equipment. We suggest that future research focus on identifying the mechanisms and conditions that determine injury rate following the acquisition of innovative as means of improving occupational health and safety in mining. Successful implementation of new mining equipment appears to depend on the specific conditions of use.

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“…Most of the literature (Botha 2015a;Boudreau-Trudel et al 2014;Fisher & Schnittger 2012;Hattingh et al 2010;Horberry, Burgess-Limerick & Steiner 2010;Kaupp et al 2010;McNab et al 2013;Nong 2010;Parasuraman, Sheridan & Wickens 1997) agree with the paraphrased summary from Lynas and Horberry (2011). There have been modernisation initiatives such as proximity detection systems that have reduced vehicle-to-vehicle (and vehicle-to-person) accidents.…”

Section: State Of Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Boudreau-Trudel et al (2014) measured the impact of new equipment and innovations in 10 mining projects based in North America. The analysis of each machinery lasted over a year, and the results showed that the introduction of new equipment did not necessarily improve productivity and efficiency.…”

Section: State Of Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

The socio-economic effects of mechanising and/or modernising hard rock mines in South Africa

Gumede

2018

SAJEMS

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Background and aim: This article aims to explore stakeholders’ views on the potential effects of modernising hard rock mines in South Africa. Methods: This objective was achieved through eliciting and bringing together the views of different stakeholders. Different stakeholders were interviewed using qualitative research methodologies. The sample demographics were fairly representative and ranged from operators to executives and from employee to employer representatives. The main form of data collection was one-on-one face-to-face interviews. Results: One of the major findings of this research is that stakeholders have different levels of understanding of mechanisation and modernisation. The levels of understanding were found to be proportional to the levels of education. Conclusion: There seems to be general support for mechanisation and modernisation among the participants. The identified socio-economic challenges and benefits were relatively similar and aligned among participants. The main difference, however, pertained to the depth and scope of the problem or opportunity as perceived by different participants. Interviewees were also unanimous in identifying the social-economic benefits of mechanisation; these were in line with those identified in the literature, namely benefits in occupational health and safety issues, efficiency, costs and improved life of mines. Furthermore, participants viewed mechanisation and modernisation as an opportunity to reskill themselves and to improve operations and quality of life. More importantly, stakeholders seemed to share a common vision and interest of the future; as such, they were able to see beyond their constituencies and interests.

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Introduction of Innovative Equipment in Mining: Impact on Productivity

Cited by 4 publications

References 10 publications

Innovative Mining Equipment: Key Factors for Successful Implementation

Innovative Mining Equipment: Key Factors for Successful Implementation

Introduction of Innovative Equipment in Mining: Impact on Occupational Health and Safety

The socio-economic effects of mechanising and/or modernising hard rock mines in South Africa

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