Mining for New Technology: AI, drones, and machine learning are changing the resource development landscape.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha
• Position: MINING

Usibelli Coal Mine (UCM) became a frontrunner in the mining industry in terms of environmental restoration when it pioneered a program to re-establish the natural landscape on previously mined land years before it was a federal requirement.

The company actually begins working on a reclamation plan before mining activity starts: an inventory is taken of the variety and abundance of natural vegetation found on the site, as well as information on conditions required for the vegetation to grow.

According to UCM, since 1970 it has reclaimed more than 5,500 acres and planted more than 500,000 seedlings.

And throughout UCM's seventy-six years of operations, the company has kept an eye on emerging technology and best practices. "[New technology] has certainly changed the way we work, has helped us reduce costs, and has made us more efficient and safer." says Lisa Herbert, vice president of public relations at UCM.

Recently UCM acquired a new CAT 994K loader with a 35-cubic-yard bucket, which has more capacity than its 994D loader with a 23-cubic-yard bucket and is more fuel efficient than the company's O&K hydraulic shovel with 27 cubic yards of capacity. In the last few years, the company has also added several 150-ton haul trucks with custom beds. "Even though the capacity of the haul trucks as purchased from CAT is 150 tons, the density of our coal prevented us from actually hauling that much coal. The modifications that have been made to the new truck beds now allow us to carry 150 tons of coal, which increases our productivity." according to Herbert. This increase in productivity also has the result that the trucks are burning less diesel overall.

As UCM brings on new equipment and technology, it does so deliberately and over a period of time. "Whether or not the new equipment is intended to replace an older piece of equipment or if it is purchased to supplement our current fleet, we always overlap a few years when possible so that we can work out any kinks." Herbert says. "When we replace equipment, our goal has always been to replace it with something that will be cost effective, boost production, and increase fuel efficiencies."

In addition to newer and higher capacity vehicles, UCM has been implementing tech in other ways in its fleet. To aid in maintaining the fleet, several of the mine's trucks now carry onboard tech to provide UCM with real-time data on oil levels, engine issues, and other diagnostics, allowing the maintenance...