As deep-level mines face mounting safety, cost, and asset-integrity pressures, automated shaft inspection technologies are rapidly moving from experimental pilots to operational necessity. Advances in AI-led visual and LiDAR scanning are enabling mining operators to generate high-resolution structural data while significantly reducing human exposure to hazardous underground environments.
Across the deep-level mining sector, traditional manual shaft inspections of hoisting infrastructure are increasingly being replaced by autonomous, drone-based, and data-driven systems capable of producing repeatable datasets that support predictive maintenance and long-term asset planning. The shift reflects a broader industry move toward integrating inspection data into hoisting, safety, and asset management platforms.
This transition was underscored at a recent specialist industry forum in Johannesburg, where mining engineers, hoisting specialists and inspection professionals explored how autonomous inspection technologies are reshaping shaft integrity management in deep-level mining environments.
“Our focus is on integrating autonomous inspection data into hoisting, safety and asset management systems, particularly in deep-level mining environments common in South Africa,” says Henk Wiedemann, Hoisting Service Manager at ABB. “The industry’s key challenge is no longer sensor capability, but the validation and operational use of data.”
Alex Grenier, CEO of Point.Laz, says the technology was designed around real mining conditions. “Our system was built to create spatially repeatable datasets that allow engineering teams to track deformation, structural fatigue and water ingress over time, enabling a shift from reactive repairs to predictive, engineering-led interventions.”
Jamie van Schoor, CEO of Dwyka Mining Services, says the focus is on improving safety and operational efficiency. “By reducing exposure time and improving data quality, we allow highly skilled personnel to focus on diagnostics, planning and execution rather than high-risk, time-limited inspection work.”
Point.Laz demonstrated its Lazaruss 3D scanning system, designed to generate repeatable datasets that can be linked to digital maintenance platforms to enable condition-based maintenance and improve long-term asset planning.
ABB continues to invest in innovative inspection and automation technologies that support safer, more efficient and more sustainable mining operations. With decades of expertise in hoisting systems and electrification, the company aims to enable data-driven decision-making and improved asset performance for customers across the region.
ENDS
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
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Media Relations Issued by NGAGE Marketing on behalf of ABB
Martin Van Zyl Andile Mbethe
Phone: +27 10 202 5612 +27 (0)11 867 7763
Email : martin.van-zyl@za.abb.com Email : andile@ngage.co.za
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