SPOTech provides innovative tire solutions

BKT is able to pinpoint exact points where a company can increase operational efficiency by analyzing data from imagery such as this haul road map. — Photo courtesy Chris Rhoades

BKT is an industrial tire manufacturer that has developed innovative solutions to productivity problems across a variety of mine sites. Its technology—SPOTech (Satellite Performance Optimization Technology)—uses GPS imagery, a three-axis accelerometer and four GoPro cameras to gather information about the efficiency of its clients’ trucks along haul roads.

Chris Rhoades and Keshav Das of BKT explained the technology that BKT offers to the mining industry. “The main goal in what we are trying to help customers with is to be able to complete productivity studies to make sure that they are productive as possible,” said Rhoades. “We are also using it to make sure that the proper tires are selected for each customer’s operation.”

BKT specializes in tires. Tire performance dictates a truck’s efficiency as it moves around the mine site. “Each one of our tires comes in many different patterns and compounds, but we need to make sure that we select the best one for the client’s operation,” said Rhoades. “In order to do that, we need to know what their operation looks like.” The data is used to improve tire performance as well as to develop new tires that BKT can offer to its clients.

SPOTech works fairly simply: the data-logger is attached to the front of the truck so that SPOTech measures all aspects of the route a truck travels. The system takes about 15 minutes to set up, and the truck in question runs for a typical shift. The collected video and data are analyzed and presented to the client in terms of a productivity study.

In some cases, the clients already have extremely efficient facility operations. In most cases, BKT finds places where the client could decrease operational costs. For example, Rhoades explained a situation in which one client was unaware that a bump in its haul road was costing the company $11 million per year. Each truck that passed through this uneven section of road slowed to safely manoeuvre the section. The details of the SPOTech analysis brought this imperfection to the client’s attention, and BKT was able to decrease the client’s operational costs.

BKT uses its SPOTech technology to complete a productivity study on a company's trucks. — Photo courtesy Chris Rhoades

Rhoades gave other examples of problems that SPOTech has solved, such as tires suffering from heat separation and irregular wear. However, BKT does not limit its business to problem solving. “In terms of problems, we can come in to help diagnostically troubleshoot,” said Rhoades. “The goal is to prevent that from happening.”

BKT’s SPOTech has been applied to a variety of mining operations across Canada: coal, diamonds and uranium included. “Different minerals may be in question, but productivity studies are something that all mines are interested in,” said Das. BKT’s SPOTech technology promises relevant information within each specific operation.

The team at BKT aims to give their clients applicable information that results in valuable solutions. “It’s all about the quality of information that you provide to the client," said Rhoades. "We really want to make it relevant and actionable, so we can help the client make some valuable changes.”

BKT encourages those interested in scheduling a SPOTech productivity study to contact Keshav Das directly at 780-888-5667 or [email protected].