A working model on automation of mining processes to enhance safety performance: case of Freda Rebecca Gold Mine, Bindura.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a working model of automating mining processes to improve safety performance at Freda Rebecca Gold Mine, Bindura (FRGM). The research study utilized positivist research philosophy, and a deductive research approach was also utilized to investigate the impact of automation on safety performance at FRGM. An explanatory research design was utilized as well in a bid to assess the impact of automation to safety performance. Automation refers to the use of technology and control systems to operate equipment and processes with minimum human intervention. The need for conducting this study was mainly safety performance, which was below internationally recognized standards, regardless of the mine having invested in safety initiatives through legal compliance and certification to international ISO standards. A review of previous literature on automation and safety performance was done. Two theories, Socio-Technical systems and Risk Management, were reviewed to understand the relationship between risk and automation. Previous literature that was explored indicates that automation has got a positive impact on safety performance because it takes away the person from the hazards or it takes away situations that require manual human intervention, replacing it with machines or technology. Data collection was done through a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 28. Ordinal logistic regression was performed, and the study results indicate that automation impacts safety performance by reducing safety incidents with a p-value <0.001. The most notable impact was in hazard identification, scoring an impressive 4.53 out of 5, with relatively low variation in responses (SD=0.58). This indicates strong agreement among respondents that automation has enhanced the organization's ability to identify potential safety risks. The most significant impact was in the replacement of high-risk manual tasks, scoring 4.30, with a very consistent response pattern (SD= 0.66). This was closely followed by a reduction in safety incident frequency (4.20) and improved response times to potential safety threats (4.19). The study concluded that the model of the aspect of automation, such as improved hazard identification, which is predictive safety controls, replacement of high-risk manual tasks, reduction in incidents frequency, and enhanced training for safety compliance play in important role on safety outcomes. Targeted automation measures at FRGM have significantly impacted the reduction of safety incidents, with several specific predictors contributing positively to safety improvements.