Partnering to develop cutting edge collision avoidance technology

Nomvuyo has been working in the mining industry since the age of 22, and is now a shift supervisor in charge of a team of 15 at Glencore Ferroalloys’ Waterval Mine in South Africa. In this video, she talks about what safety means to her and how we’re using the latest technology to realise our goal of creating a workplace without fatalities, injuries or occupational diseases.

Partnering with three different suppliers, we worked together to develop a cutting-edge person-to-vehicle detection (PVD) system - the first of its kind fitted to diesel vehicles. Using an electronic tag attached to every worker’s cap lamp and a collision avoidance interface fitted in the vehicles, the PVD system first warns individuals of near-by vehicles with a flashing light and audible alarm on the cap lamp. The driver of the vehicle is also alerted to the nearby worker through the interface in their vehicle. In contrast to many other systems, this new technology also stops the vehicle entirely once it comes within 5 metres of a person. Adopting new technology like this is making a significant difference to the working lives of our people, ensuring that they can go home unharmed to their families every single day.