Futureforesight
BHP Billiton Iron Ore continues to pursue opportunities to
expand production to 260 to 270 million tonnes per annum, with
asset optimisation, standardisation, process improvement and
technology being key drivers for growth.
The Integrated Remote Operations Centre (IROC) is one
technology innovation that has boosted the capacity to drive
productivity, optimise the use of assets and benefit from reduced
variability across a highly integrated business.
Officially opened in July 2013, the IROC is BHP Billiton Iron
Ore’s operational control centre, located at 125 St Georges Terrace,
Perth. This cutting edge facility provides a view of the entire
Western Australia iron ore network, from pit to port, 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore President, Jimmy Wilson, said the IROC
centralises control of the business’ Pilbara-based mine, fixed
plant, train and port operations in one location.
“
For the first time we can see our total supply chain, in real-
time and in one place, enabling us to proactively make the right
decisions for the whole business,” he said. “The IROC plays an
integral role in driving our productivity agenda by increasing the
utilisation and rate of our existing assets, and is central to our
efforts to grow production.”
Technological innovation
The IROC uses industry-proven technology applications
comprising a mine fleet management system, train control and
fixed plant control systems for mine and port operations. CCTV
and radio systems are used to ensure visibility and continuous
communication between Perth and site-based operations. An
innovative ‘production visibility tool’ gives an overview of
the entire iron ore network at a glance, enabling the speedy
identification and redressing of any bottlenecks, and their flow-on
effects, across the entire supply chain.
Leading-edge technology infrastructure enables the IROC to
operate remotely, around the clock. A new Remote Operation
Network (RON) provides connectivity between the Perth and
Pilbara sites and runs separately to the existing network,
separating corporate traffic from operational traffic and
safeguarding against unwanted impacts on operationally-critical
process control applications.
Ensuring that the business is prepared for any outages also
formed a significant part of the technology planning for the IROC.
The RON has been designed with full redundancy (including
satellite back-up where required) to minimise the risk of failure.
In case of an outage, there will be a combined site-based and Perth-
leads the way for BHP Billiton
The IROC control floor at 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Minesite 2013
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