GE introduces the Digital Mine to boost efficiency

One of the trends emerging at MINExpo International 2016 is the use of technology to acquire data from equipment and processes at mine sites and analyzing that data to increase efficiencies.

Today at the show, GE Mining, a division of GE Transportation, unveiled the Digital Mine, a suite of technologies that can improve performance, reliability, safety and operations. Each mine, says the company, is a mini-city, requiring power, water and transportation. Intelligent, real-time monitoring across the mine, allows operators to make data-driven decisions that improve equipment reliability and optimize mine operations.

Powered by GE’s Predix, a cloud-based operating platform built exclusively for industry, the Digital Mine delivers interconnected technology needed to achieve breakthrough levels of efficiency and maximum performance. It combines machine sensors, connectivity, data capture, visualization and analytics to support management of an asset’s lifecycle.

“Mining, as an industry, faces strong headwinds and must drive productivity and improve operational savings. Digital Mine, through advanced sensor technology and analytics, seizes the industry’s untapped data to help make a difference,” said Scott Phillips, vice president and CEO of GE Mining. “As we’re doing successfully for the rail industry, we’re using our industrial internet mindset to actively monitor and diagnose equipment and operations to improve assets, maximize efforts, boost fuel efficiency and lower costs.”

GE’s suite of condition-monitoring capabilities collects information such as vibration data, temperature and pressure to inform mine operators of machine health, and also detects impending failures before they occur. Data collected from disparate systems enables the linking of insights across machines and processes, which can lead to better predictivity and decreased likelihood of accidents – all while increasing productivity.