Utilizing SourceOne EKPS® for Asset Optimization

Written by By Fernando de Orbegoso

Mining is a highly asset-intensive industry where asset performance plays a crucial role in meeting production targets while keeping costs within budget. An example of such assets is the haul trucks, which are massive in size and very expensive to operate and maintain. These trucks can weigh over 1.37 million tons, stand at 51 feet, and have a width of 32 feet and a length of 50 feet. The maintenance cost of mining equipment is estimated to be between 30% – 50% of overall mine operating costs. Therefore, it is essential for any mining operation to maintain the equipment in top condition to ensure availability and reliability. Haul trucks, in particular, require optimization of critical components, especially tires, which sit at the top 5 operating expenses. For instance, a single tire can cost around $42,500. As a result, it makes sense for mining operations to optimize tire usage and longevity. Tire manufacturers have developed a KPI (key performance indicator) called TKPH to achieve this goal.

TKPH, which stands for Tons per Kilometer per Hour, is a KPI used to determine the workload capacity of tires based on their pressure and temperature. If the tires are operating beyond their TKPH, then they are stressed beyond the manufacturer’s recommended limit, which can cause failure. On the other hand, if the tires are below their TKPH, it could indicate underutilization. For instance, if a haul truck is moving too slowly, it can have a negative impact on haulage and production targets. Nowadays, mining companies measure TKPH through Fleet Management Systems (FMS) to optimize tire performance and improve productivity by running them closer to their TKPH limits.

With SourceOne EKPS® mining companies can extend this capability and identify actionable information and increase productivity further. SourceOne EKPS® utilizes knowledge graph technology where the relationship between TKPH data is mapped to other data from domains across the complete value chain, like maintenance, haul road engineering and construction, safety, ESG, and training; enabling automated triggering of actions like scheduling maintenance, re-training haul truck operators, generating alerts for unsafe operating conditions, work orders, measure the impact of truck emissions, and track tire life, among others. All this by understanding the relationship of the TKPH data with data from across the value chain.

Using SourceOne EKPS®, mining companies can enhance their productivity by transforming data such as KPIs into actionable information. By using technologies such as Ontology and Knowledge Graph, SourceOne EKPS® describes how data coexists providing a structured framework to model information, enabling machines to understand and interpret data and thus enabling advanced modeling and analytics including artificial intelligence, semantic web, and expert knowledge-based systems.

The SourceOne Knowledge System enables the identification of new efficiencies across the complete value chain, rather than just in specific mining areas or point solutions such as load and haul operations or asset monitoring solutions. SourceOne EKPS® provides a detailed, holistic view of how data coexists from pit to port, enabling the application of advanced modeling analytics and AI to identify operating efficiencies at a level that was previously impossible for the human brain alone. This is a game-changer for the industry.

For more information on TKPH in Mining Operations read:
• https://otrglobal.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/OTRG-Technical-bulletin-Managing-Tyres-in-a-Digital-World.pdf
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652619311461