Game-Changer in Mining Safety: AI-Driven Dragline Protection

24th January, 2023

Game-Changer in Mining Safety: Bigmate Rolls Out AI-Driven Dragline Protection

24th January 2024 - In a landmark advancement for mining safety, Bigmate has unveiled the world’s first dragline safety solution that seamlessly combines object detection with direct drive system integration—significantly reducing the risk of contact between draglines and ground personnel, cable tractors, or dozers.

Making Dragline Collisions a Thing of the Past.

Historically, dragline operations have depended heavily on operator vigilance and procedural controls. But when visibility is compromised and human reaction time isn’t enough, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Enter Bigmate’s Proximity Awareness System (PAS)—a groundbreaking solution that actively monitors the dragline’s surroundings using 360-degree sensor coverage, and goes one step further by intervening directly with the dragline’s movement controls. This is not just detection. It’s prevention.

How It Works:

LiDAR and high-resolution optical sensors to create a constantly updated, highly accurate map of the dragline’s operating environment.
AI-powered object classification, distinguishing between people, dozers, and cable tractors with pinpoint accuracy.
Automatically reduce slew speed when objects are detected
Trigger proportional braking
Initiate a full mechanical stop if a person or vehicle enters a critical proximity zone

These safety actions occur in real time, bypassing human reaction delay and transforming the dragline into an active participant in site safety.

No Wearables. No Compliance Gaps.

Unlike traditional systems that rely on wearables (which can be forgotten or removed), the PAS system detects all objects passively—meaning nothing is required from personnel or surrounding vehicles for protection to occur.

It’s equipment-centric, not person-dependent. Safe work becomes ubiquitous and automatic.

Intelligent, Adaptable, Always On

Works day or night, in dust, rain or low light
Continuously learns from site conditions to reduce false positives
Provides real-time operator feedback through an in-cab Heads-Up Display

Why It Matters

This innovation sets a new global benchmark in mining safety. By integrating object detection directly with the machine’s drive controls, Bigmate has moved beyond alert systems—ushering in an era where the dragline itself actively protects workers and equipment.

The result? A safer, smarter, more confident operation—24/7.