Modular Mining has launched a Public Application Programming Interface (API) designed for superior integration and increased openness among third-party technologies and Modular Mining’s IntelliMine portfolio.
Through the Public API infrastructure, bidirectional data sharing is possible among Modular’s DISPATCH and ProVision systems and third-party programs, leading to potential gains in operational efficiency and overall value to users. Modular said the release of up and downstream third-party integration characterizes its first step towards mine-wide optimization.
The company said the new API provides the Modular Mining mine management ecosystem with access to previously unavailable information, to supplement existing decision-making algorithms, automate tasks, and avoid duplication among systems. The API enhances third-party systems by providing real-time read-only access to various endpoints including equipment positioning data, equipment status changes, and equipment cycle state changes. In addition, the API provides write access to various entry points including location status, road state and crusher telemetry. The Public API is based on industry standards, including OpenAPI and AsyncAPI technical specifications and employs both REST with JSON for request/response patterns and WebSockets for publish/subscribe patterns.
The API’s components include:
• Mine Planning: Developed initially for integration with RPM Global and their short-term planning solution, XECUTE. The generic mine planning element enables any third-party mine planning system to integrate with the ProVision system, bridging the gap between planning and execution, and enabling mines to monitor progress to plan and proactively respond to unplanned events.
• Payload Management: Built in conjunction with MineWare to integrate two Komatsu technology solutions: the Argus Payload Management System from MineWare, and Modular Mining’s ProVision Machine Guidance and DISPATCH Fleet Management systems. The API can integrate a site’s existing ProVision and DISPATCH systems with any third-party shovel-based payload monitoring system.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): To facilitate data exchange among Modular Mining’s DISPATCH and ProVision systems and a mine site’s ERP system. Available endpoints enable bi-directional updates with regards to current configuration, positioning, time tracking and production states.
• Crusher Management: To manage the flow of traffic at the crusher by integrating the mine site’s crusher Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) data with Modular Mining’s DISPATCH Fleet Management System (FMS) for use in real-time decision-making algorithms. The integration enables the DISPATCH FMS to redirect trucks to stockpiles and mitigate the effects of unnecessary queuing at the crusher.
The Crusher Management component also makes it possible to monitor bin levels in real-time and reduce crusher losses by calling for ROM feed on demand. With access to crusher data, the DISPATCH FMS can address gaps from ex-pit sources and minimize disruptions at the crusher caused by the rock breaker occupying the crusher bin at inopportune times. Information exchanged via the API can be used to customize utility display parameters such as bin level and time to greenlight status. Modular said the Public API is available now for the latest releases of DISPATCH Fleet Management and ProVision Machine Guidance systems.
