Road safety in mining is essential not only for protecting workers but also for ensuring efficient and safe operations. The challenging environments and remote locations where many mines operate require advanced technologies to mitigate risks and optimize operations. Viion Systems is leading this transformation with solutions that combine artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability, addressing the unique challenges of mining in different parts of the world.
Global Challenges in Mining Road Safety
The mining sectors in key countries such as Peru, India, and Chile face unique challenges due to poor infrastructure, informal transportation, and the growing demand for technologies to ensure safer and more efficient operations.
- Peru: Mining Corridors and Informal Transport
In 2023, Peru reported a disturbing 39% increase in fatal accidents on mining corridors. This rise is primarily linked to the proliferation of informal mining trucks and the lack of adequate infrastructure to control vehicle traffic on these critical routes used for transporting minerals【Statista】. In May 2024, 11 accidents were recorded on mining corridors due to unregulated transportation【Reuters】. Viion Systems’ solutions, such as smart cameras with AI, can monitor driver behavior, detect speeding, and alert on illegal turns or signs of fatigue, helping prevent accidents and improve safety in these critical areas.
- India: Mining Transport and Safety Advances
India, a leader in coal mining, has made strides in overall safety, with a reduction in fatal accidents reported by Coal India Limited (CIL) in 2021【Coal India】. However, transport remains a major concern, especially on deteriorated routes connecting mines to export ports. Road infrastructure in mining regions like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh faces severe challenges due to wear and limited advanced technology. Viion Systems’ telematics and GPS solutions enable vehicle tracking, route optimization, and the detection of dangerous behaviors like prolonged driving without breaks or speeding, mitigating risks in these areas. Additionally, the use of solar-powered systems is crucial for remote regions in India, where access to electricity is limited.
- Chile: Copper Mining and Logistic Safety
Chile, the world’s largest copper producer, faces similar road safety issues in key regions like Antofagasta, where high traffic of heavy vehicles and cargo trucks increases risks on routes to export ports. In 2023, 12 fatal accidents were reported in the mining sector【SERNAGEOMIN】【CEIC Data】. Road safety on these routes is crucial, as any incident can severely impact operational efficiency. Viion Systems offers advanced technologies such as speed monitoring, access control via license plate recognition (ALPR), and the detection of dangerous behaviors, improving safety both within mines and on roads leading to ports.
Technological Advancements to Enhance Safety
The integration of advanced technologies is key to addressing these challenges and improving road safety in mining:
- Real-Time Monitoring: Viion Systems’ AI cameras analyze driver behavior in real time, detecting violations such as speeding, illegal turns, and signs of fatigue. This enables immediate alerts to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with regulations across all phases of mining transportation.
- Telematics and GPS: Telematics and GPS systems allow operators to track vehicles, optimize routes, and detect risky behaviors such as long driving without breaks. In regions like India and Peru, where routes are challenging and road infrastructure is limited, these technologies are essential to ensuring safety on all transportation routes.
- Sustainable Infrastructure: Viion Systems also offers low-energy solutions (less than 30W) that run on solar power, ideal for remote areas where access to electricity is limited. These solutions ensure continuous, sustainable operation even in the most isolated areas.
- Training and Compliance: Driver education programs, combined with automated monitoring systems, promote a safety culture in mines. By combining training with technological compliance, Viion Systems contributes to creating a safer and more efficient work environment.
Integrated Road Safety Ecosystems
Road safety extends beyond the mining site to include transport routes leading to logistics centers and ports. Creating an integrated road safety ecosystem that encompasses both mines and transport routes is essential for ensuring safe and efficient operations. Viion Systems provides advanced solutions that monitor both inside and outside the mines, offering comprehensive surveillance of mineral transport and enhancing overall safety across the entire network.
Viion Systems’ Impact on Mining
Viion Systems is revolutionizing traffic management on mining sites with innovative solutions:
- Predictive Analysis with AI: Viion Systems uses AI to identify dangerous patterns before incidents occur, enabling proactive intervention and accident prevention.
- Access Control with ALPR: Automatic license plate recognition improves security by monitoring authorized vehicles in restricted areas and preventing unauthorized access.
- Sustainability: Solar-powered systems reduce operational costs and environmental impact, ensuring sustainable operations even in remote and challenging locations.
A Sustainable Approach for the Future
The adoption of advanced technologies like those from Viion Systems not only reduces accidents but also protects local communities, strengthens operational sustainability, and turns risks into opportunities. In regions where mining is vital for economic development, these solutions are essential to ensure a safer and more responsible industry, with benefits extending beyond the confines of the mines.
Conclusion
Global mining is at a crossroads: it must evolve towards safer and more sustainable practices or risk facing growing risks. Viion Systems is leading this change by offering advanced technological solutions that balance efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility, ensuring that economic progress does not compromise safety or social well-being. With its innovations in road safety, Viion Systems is transforming mining into a safer, more efficient, and sustainable industry worldwide.
For more information, visit:
