Komatsu and MineWare announce mining’s first integrated payload

Komatsu and MineWare are officially launching their first factory-fitted payload management system, Argus PLM, at Bauma 2019 trade fair in Germany today.

Argus PLM drives whole-of-mine improvement by increasing loading tool productivity and efficiency, which ultimately lowers cost per tonne. Argus PLM is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) version of the MineWare Argus monitoring system designed exclusively for the Komatsu range of hydraulic excavators.

“Mining operators need world-class technology solutions to improve productivity, reduce costs and increase their global competitiveness,” MineWare Vice President of Marketing and Sales Roy Pater said.

“By uniting Komatsu and MineWare capabilities we’re offering customers the opportunity to have production improvement technology fully integrated with the machine, when ordering a new machine, to achieve these benefits.

“Argus PLM enables OEMs, like Komatsu, to deliver a superior and unrivaled machine for the mining industry while also shifting technology development further towards tele-remote and autonomous mining operations.”

Argus PLM integrates seamlessly with Komatsu’s Komtrax operating system and forms part of the on-board display. This delivers actionable production information, in real time, from the machine directly to the operator. If the mine site has suitable connectivity, this information can be transmitted back to the site office too.

The system provides mining personnel on and off site with greater production visibility and performance benchmarking data to monitor, take action and understand how to improve the machine’s productivity.

“This system adds value to every bucket load,” Pater said, “enabling operators and supervisors to continually improve productivity and contribute to whole of mine production. Ultimately that means moving more tonnes for less cost.”

Komatsu is the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to deliver an in-cab payload management and guidance system, fully integrated with the excavator’s own operating system. Argus PLM will be available on all new Komatsu PC7000-11 models.

Komatsu plans to continue rolling out the Argus PLM across all other PC series excavator models, in time.