A Computer-Based Production Information System ? Introduction

The past few years have seen the introduction of mini-computers on an increasing scale at collieries in the British coal industry. These are being used for controlling underground transport systems, coal preparation plants and fixed plant (pumps etc.); and for monitoring the mine environment and face operations.. A separate mini-computer (termed a primary computer) is dedicated to each of these functions. The overall system under which these computers operate is a common one which is applicable at all collieries. The information collected by the primary computers, other than that required for immediate control, will be fed to a secondary computer for analysis and processing. This overall concept, called MINOS. (MINe Operating System) is being developed by the National Coal Board's Mining Research and Development Establishment (M.R.D.E.). Eventually most of the data required by the system will be captured automatically. For example, the fact that a delay has occurred on a face, together with the duration of that delay, will be detected automatically via transducers link linked to a primary computer. However, the reason for that delay will, in all likelihood, have to be recorded manually. Such a system is currently under development with the first trial installations now being made.