Mipac to implement RtDuet at Ernest Henry

Mipac is introducing the RtDuet production and downtime reporting system at Glencore’s Ernest Henry Mining (EHM) operation.

The order comes after a successful six-month trial of the software at the site northeast of Cloncurry in Queensland, Australia.

RtDuet is to be introduced at the copper and gold mine’s crushing station and concentrator with the system in place by year-end 2013.

Mipac, an AVEVA PI System partner, has already introduced RtDuet at Glencore’s copper concentrator in Mount Isa where the benefits were immediate, with increased resolution of plant downtime data including reason codes and root cause equipment drivers, accurate downtime reporting and real-time maintenance alerts.

“RtDuet is a tightly integrated solution with the AVEVA PI System™ that provides real-time downtime tracking and reporting,” he says. “Built to harness the data gathered by the AVEVA PI system, RtDuet is a scalable product that can deliver actionable information within hours of being deployed. The tight integration with the PI system means no new or additional infrastructure is needed to implement RtDuet on top of the existing PI System.”

Mipac has a proven track record in implementing and supporting PI systems. Mipac engineers can customise the RtDuet reporting and visualisation of downtime data stored in the PI system, including integrating data with other applications such as maintenance systems, to inform and enable business improvements.

EHM Metallurgist Kieran Bibby expects the implementation of RtDuet will support and enable improved concentrator performance.

“We are looking forward to having operating and equipment plant performance history that we can use in an efficient and meaningful way to improve our business,” he says. “ In an immediate sense, we are expecting the system to play an important role when we bring the new underground crusher and hoist online early next year.”