Chilean technology company Vigalab is making waves in the mining industry by utilizing internet of things (IoT) technology to revolutionize connectivity and safety. Vigalab CEO José Reyes recently sat down with Mining Technology to discuss how IoT is transforming the mining landscape in Latin America and beyond.
Vigalab initially launched its IoT operations at the San Jeronimo mine on Chile’s western coast but has since expanded its reach to mines across South America, Mexico, the US, Canada, and India. The company’s goal is to enhance traceability, productivity, and worker safety in an industry that is often fraught with efficiency challenges and worker fatalities.
One of the main challenges that Vigalab faces is implementing IoT technology in underground mines that lack connectivity and electricity. While open pit mines can rely on existing internet infrastructure, underground mines require a different approach. Reyes explains that Vigalab leverages the industrial mining vehicles themselves as a kinetic network by mounting sensors on each machine. These sensors monitor the machine’s status, location, and activity. When the machines exit the mine and regain connectivity, they automatically send the collected data to Vigalab’s database, providing a comprehensive overview of what transpired inside the mine.
Worker safety has long been a concern in the mining industry, which is notorious for its high number of fatalities and injuries. Reyes asserts that Vigalab was one of the first companies to successfully connect machines and underground mines without relying on traditional connectivity methods. The company collaborated with Codelco, one of the world’s largest copper companies, in 2019 to develop the Co-Watch. This wearable technology utilized Bluetooth to monitor workers’ proximity to each other, allowing for effective contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The success of the Co-Watch led to the development of the Mine-Watch, which offers traceability of workers throughout the mine and enables better safety protocols in the event of an accident or emergency.
When asked about safety prioritization in Latin American mining companies, Reyes believes that larger companies, particularly those in Chile, are indeed focused on safety. He cites Codelco’s interest in IoT solutions for worker monitoring as evidence of this commitment. However, he acknowledges that the mining industry inherently carries risks due to the nature of the work.
Looking ahead, Vigalab is poised for further growth in IoT mining. The company recently expanded into the US and Canada and aims to expand to other continents in the future. Additionally, Vigalab is exploring the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide insights and recommendations based on the data collected from underground mines. This development has the potential to optimize productivity and improve overall mining operations.
As the mining industry continues to face challenges related to efficiency and worker safety, Vigalab’s innovative use of IoT technology offers a promising solution. By leveraging connectivity and data collection, the company is transforming mining operations and ensuring a safer working environment. With their sights set on further expansion and advancements in AI, Vigalab is cementing its place as a leader in the IoT mining space.
