Global telematics operator Nedap Identification shows that every year over 1 billion litres of fuel are registered and consumed in Australia's largest mining operations, giving you a sense of the massive cost of petrol to the industry.

Operators nationwide need solutions that can help reduce their outlay on energy for equipment, processing and transit vehicles. Read on to see three reasons why telematics equipment is vital for saving fuel in mining.

1. Route planning

Answering how you can reduce mining vehicle fuel consumption requires thought on why so much is used in the first place. Mine sites are generally located in Australia's most remote locations, with processing facilities or ports thousands of kilometres away. Thus, minimising the distances vehicles have to travel would instantly slow fuel consumption.

The key to this is more efficient route planning - by arming your drivers with the best in GPS telematics technology. Pinpoint Communications' Journey Management system plans the most efficient route for vehicles to take in real-time, accounting for potential delays, road closures and severe weather. Designed for mining and other sectors that require potentially hazardous driving in remote locations, it is the perfect safety net for ensuring your drivers and vehicles get to their destination quickly and safely.

Mining operations require vehicles to cover hundreds of kilometres per delivery - GPS planning would help shorten driving times and distances. 

2. Monitoring equipment and vehicles

Next, turn your attention to where most of your work happens and ask 'How do I lower fuel costs on my mining site?' The amount of equipment and the number of vehicles running on a mining site at any one time are a significant contributor to operators' costs, so a telematics solution to monitor fuel consumption is vital.

Pinpoint's Asset, Fleet and Works Management system is the perfect tool for keeping an eye on all your valuable equipment and onsite vehicles. Providing a comprehensive overview of fuel consumption and asset use across your site, you can be sure that attempts to lower fuel consumption are followed through in the field, with all equipment and usage data logged and stored.

3. Analyse the data

An interconnected approach to managing your consumption requires more than one way to minimise fuel expenses for your mining fleet. Telematics equipment allows you to gather and store reams of data related to your operations - but how do you use this to make positive changes to your operations?

Pinpoint's telematics can generate reports on fuel and vehicle usage.

Pinpoint's telematics platform provides comprehensive reports for operators to analyse data patterns and discover ways to make their operations more fuel-efficient. These reports can also be linked to vehicle and equipment maintenance and usage records, ensuring you always get the best for less out of your assets.

For more information on how telematics can lower your fuel costs, contact the Pinpoint team today by clicking below.