Hexagon, the global leader in precision technologies, is sharing the story of a successful partnership that’s helping to combat fatigue and distraction in underground mining.
A series of video interviews released today and a white paper to be presented at next week’s AusIMM Underground Operators Conference 2025 (April 7-9), shine a light on the partnership between Hexagon and MMG, and their efforts to protect people and equipment.
Operating in diverse and challenging environments at its Rosebery mine in Tasmania, MMG, an international producer of base metals, partnered with Hexagon in 2023. To reduce risks and further strengthen operator safety, the mine deployed Hexagon Operator Alertness System (OAS).
At the time, OAS was broadly used in surface mining, but this was Australia’s first application of OAS to underground mining trucks. “It was pretty exciting for us to go down this path,” said Wendy Hodgetts, Manager-Safety, Training, Health, ER & Security, MMG Rosebery.
“The Hexagon OAS system has been so good for us. I think there’s some real advantages with the relationship we’ve had with Hexagon, it’s been very open, and I think early support was critical to the successful implementation of this engineering control into our workforce and into our trucks.”
Steve Scott, General Manager at Rosebery, MMG, added: “The deployment of Hexagon OAS is providing valuable data for our operation and making a difference in the safety of MMG’s workers.
“We recognise that with long shifts, fatigue can become a hazard, and this technology enables us to continually assess and address the fatigue risk of our underground truck operators objectively, in real time,” he added.
Josh Savit, Hexagon’s Principal Advisor, Mining, said the story of MMG’s relationship with Hexagon captures the key ingredients of a successful safety partnership. “Hexagon’s safety solutions lead the market, but technology is just one layer of mine safety,” said Savit. “Change management and data insights are integral to a successful fatigue mitigation program.
“What makes our partnership with MMG successful is the shared understanding that even when solutions are integrated, operators must still be engaged and re-engaged in a cycle of continuous improvement.”
On April 7 at 1 p.m., Josh Savit presents “Managing Operator Fatigue Underground: The Importance of Management of Change” at the AusIMM Underground Operators Conference 2025 (April 7-9) at Adelaide Convention Centre, where Hexagon will be exhibiting at Booth 122. To learn more about Hexagon’s partnership with MMG, click here.
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Hexagon’s Mining division solves surface and underground mine challenges with proven technologies for planning operations and safety.
