Metso SmartTag – The Next Generation and Beyond

摘要

SmartTag is a radio frequency identifi cation (RFID) based technology designed to allow tracking ofrnore from its source through blasting, run-of-mine (ROM) pads, crushers, intermediate stockpiles andrnfi nally into the concentrator. This paper presents current developments and the future direction ofrnthe SmartTag? ore tracking system, as well as presenting some case studies.rnSuccessful applications of the SmartTag system have encouraged development to allow the systemrnto be used in a wider variety of plants, in particular plants with fi ner crushing and screening stages.rnThis presented Metso with a number of technological challenges, including RFID tag and antennarndesign. By reducing the traditional RFID tag diameter from 60 mm to 20 mm the RFID tags can nowrnsuccessfully pass through a secondary crusher. The new smaller RFID tags (referred to as mini RFIDrntags) have been used in some Process Integration and Optimisation projects with very promisingrnresults.rnThe results indicate that the miniature RFID tags have a higher survivability to blasting andrnthrough secondary crushing stages. Extending ore tracking further through the process allows morernreliable linking of spatial data with time based process performance. Metso is looking at developingrneven smaller micro RFID tags, and is also investigating other applications for the SmartTag system,rnincluding ore tracking from the original source to the fi nal destination (ie from the mine, through thernplant and ports to the customer).