Contract Mining Operation
Project Snapshot
Commodity
Lithium
Location
Western Australia
Mining Method
Open Pit
Fleet Type
Mixed OEM Fleet
Solution
Haultrax Fleet Management System
Connectivity
Starlink Enabled
Operation Type
Contract Mining
The Challenge
Operating in a remote Western Australian mining environment with limited communications infrastructure, the contractor was looking for a better way to capture and report production information.
Production reporting relied heavily on manual tally sheets, creating a time-consuming administrative burden and introducing the potential for human error. Access to production data was often delayed, limiting the ability of supervisors to monitor performance and make informed decisions during the shift.
The business also recognised an opportunity to differentiate itself from other mining contractors through more accurate, timely and transparent reporting. Providing clients with reliable production data would not only improve operational decision-making but also strengthen client confidence in reported production performance.
The contractor also required a solution capable of supporting a mixed OEM fleet operating across multiple projects. Contract miners frequently reallocate equipment between sites to meet changing project demands. Any fleet management solution needed to be flexible, allowing technology to move with the asset rather than requiring significant reinstallation effort each time equipment was transferred.
The Solution
Haultrax deployed its lightweight Mining Fleet Management System designed specifically for remote mining operations.
To overcome the site’s communications limitations, Haultrax implemented an innovative connectivity solution by mounting Vocus Satellite–Starlink terminals directly onto key production assets. Excavators were equipped with magnet-mounted Starlink units, effectively transforming them into mobile communication hubs that broadcast local Wi-Fi networks to surrounding equipment.
This approach enabled fleet-wide data connectivity without requiring traditional site communications infrastructure.
Haultrax Fleet Management System provided:
Automated production capture
Real-time short interval control (SIC) reporting
Asset utilisation monitoring
Equipment activity tracking
Operator conformance reporting
Delay and time usage analysis
Cross-site fleet visibility
The Outcome
The contractor replaced manual tally sheets with automated production capture and real-time reporting.
Supervisors gained access to live production and SIC information, while the cloud-hosted architecture eliminated the need for on-site servers and dedicated IT resources. The flexible deployment model also allowed technology to move with equipment between projects, supporting the dynamic nature of contract mining operations.
Key Benefits
- Eliminated manual tally sheets
- Real-time SIC reporting
- Improved accuracy of client production reporting
- No on-site servers or dedicated IT infrastructure required
- Flexible deployment across a mixed OEM fleet
- Technology moves with equipment between projects
