Mining Technology Utilisation Assessment

Large Mine, United Arab Emirates, 2021

The Challenge: Sustaining Momentum after an FMS Implementation

For a large-scale mining operation in the United Arab Emirates operating a fleet of over 100 trucks, the initial deployment of a Fleet Management System (FMS) represented only the first milestone in a broader technological journey. While the implementation of Wenco provided the necessary framework for basic fleet oversight, site leadership recognised the common industry challenge of utilisation diminishing once the initial rollout phase concludes. To prevent this, the operation sought and independent mining technology assessment which would provide practical insights and recommendations as to how they could sustain momentum.

Diagnostic Evaluation: Benchmarking the Site’s Tech Maturity

MTS was engaged to conduct an objective, data-driven diagnostic of the site’s maturity with mining technology. Managing a fleet utilising a Fleet Management System requires constant upkeep and consistent user adoption across all shifts. Our team performed a comprehensive assessment that analysed system usage across all user groups (including operators, dispatchers and supervisors). We also reviewed how the system was being used to address site specific challenges, operational bottlenecks and performance gaps. The primary objective of this phase was to determine the site's exact position on the digital maturity curve and identify the specific technical or behavioral barriers preventing peak operational efficiency.

Strategic Roadmap: A Phased Approach to Measurable Gains

The outcome of this assessment was a customised, practical "ramp-up" roadmap delivered to the operation. This strategic plan avoided a generic approach, instead offering a phased schedule designed to build internal capability in manageable, sustainable increments. Importantly it was delivered using mining language, providing practical steps. The roadmap provided clear milestones for optimising Wenco and secondary systems, ensuring that every technical adjustment was paired with process refinement. By prioritising high-impact enhancements first, the site was able to realise immediate gains in fleet utilisation while establishing a stable foundation for more advanced future integrations.

As with all of our site assessments, initial results were presented in a clear and concise presentation to the onsite management team. All findings were backed up with data wherever possible. A detailed follow up report with clear recommendations was delivered soon after.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you assess a mine's maturity with its fleet management system?

  For a UAE operation with over 100 trucks, MTS analysed how each user group used Wenco, including operators, dispatchers and supervisors. The team also reviewed whether the system was being used to tackle the site's own bottlenecks and performance gaps. This placed the site on the digital maturity curve and showed whether the barriers were technical or behavioural.

• What does a mine get at the end of an MTS technology assessment?

  A mine gets two deliverables. The first is a concise presentation of initial findings to the onsite management team, backed by data wherever possible. The second is a detailed report with clear recommendations, delivered soon after. At a UAE mine with over 100 trucks, MTS wrote the roadmap in mining language, with practical steps the site team could act on.

• What is an FMS ramp-up roadmap?

  A ramp-up roadmap is a phased plan for getting more from a fleet management system after go-live. MTS built one for a UAE mine with over 100 trucks. It set milestones for optimising Wenco and secondary systems and paired every technical change with a process change. High-impact improvements came first, so the site saw gains in fleet utilisation early.