Phu Bia Mining advancing safety technology for its operations, supporting communities

Phu Bia Mining (PBM), a world-leading mining company in Laos, is taking pride in the safety improvements made to the mining fleet at its Phu Kham Copper-Gold and Ban Houayxai Gold-Silver operations.

A Phu Bia Mining mine operator learning  to drive a Caterpillar 777D truck at its Phu Kham training centre.

PBM’s operations, part of PanAust and as a subsidiary of Guangdong Rising Holding Group (GDRH), are continuing to prioritise safety initiatives to protect its fleet operators and local communities.
The Company has fitted fatigue detection cameras equipped with state-of-the-art MyCadian and Caterpillar systems, which manage driver fatigue in all its vehicles. The cameras have advanced eye detection sensor technology, continuously tracking the driver’s pupils to detect and alert them at the first signs of tiredness. These sensors pick up on a range of facial movements, such as yawning for two consecutive seconds, eyes closing for two consecutive seconds, and blinking frequency. The system then sends the report of potential driver fatigue to the Caterpillar team based in the United States, who take action and immediately send an alertness signal to the driver’s seat through a series of vibration pulses.
Vehicle safety along PBM’s transport and concentrated haulage routes in Laos is also part of the company’s focus. PBM aims to protect the safety of communities on these roads by moving its trucks in a convoy with an escort vehicle. The vehicles stop at designated rest spots, while driver’s speeds are managed through the use of GPS technology, just as PBM supports communities through education about road-related accidents.  
Raising the importance of the company’s operational safety excellence in Laos, PanAust Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Daling Zheng, said, “PanAust and Phu Bia Mining are committed to a ‘zero harm’ philosophy which focuses on ensuring we maintain an incident and injury free record at all of our operations. Our operations in Laos continue to outperform global peers on all safety related matters.
“This is testament to the success of our safety programs that are aligned with GDRH’s philosophy on innovation. We continue to focus on cutting-edge mining technologies to improve our operational efficiency and our actions related to safety at Phu Bia Mining.”
Adding to this focus, PBM Chairman, Mr Chanpheng Bounnaphol, said, “Phu Bia Mining follows strict international benchmarks to protect our people and those who live in the local communities. Our human-oriented approach to safety is to ensure that everyone goes home safely every day and this critical value reflects our commitment to continued business growth and ongoing presence in Laos.”

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update October 25, 2024)