Automation integration specialist JH Tester Industrial Automation has successfully integrated Software as a Service (SaaS) based monitoring and data visualisation technology into Minetek’s mining Water Evaporators, marking a significant step forward in digital transformation for the mining sector.
Australian OEM Minetek, renowned for its water evaporation systems, underground ventilation, and sound reduction solutions, partnered with JH Tester to deliver enhanced remote monitoring capabilities using Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk DataMosaix technology.
“We saw an opportunity to enhance our portfolio by adopting an innovative technology that allowed remote, real-time reporting of critical assets,” said Michael Fraser, senior electrical design engineer at Minetek.
“The Minetek team was very particular in nominating a highly capable industrial system integrator with a proven track record in delivering custom innovative solutions and successful delivery of major projects.”
Fraser added: “JH Tester Industrial Automation was our chosen delivery partner, implementing Rockwell Automation’s cloud-based FactoryTalk DataMosaix technology.
“This has revolutionised how we work with our customers to critically monitor their remote assets.”
The new system leverages satellite connectivity, enabling Minetek to capture real-time data from remote locations, securely store information in the cloud, and provide intuitive dashboards accessible from anywhere.
This digitalisation offers valuable insights into critical assets, supporting performance optimisation, predictive maintenance, and operational efficiency while ensuring data security — a key concern for Minetek’s customers.
JH Tester’s director, Murray Tester, highlighted the project’s scope: “Minetek wanted to provide its customers with more real-time visibility on the performance of the equipment, to enable proactive maintenance and to validate agreed performance targets.”
He continued: “We had to consider different equipment across multiple sites, and needed a solution that could bring everything together neatly, so we chose Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk DataMosaix.”
FactoryTalk DataMosaix enables scalable deployment across multiple sites, requiring only an edge industrial PC at each location.
The platform contextualises and merges engineering, operational, and IT data, making it accessible and actionable for both standard and custom applications.
Minetek’s choice of a SaaS model eliminates the need for physical infrastructure and ongoing maintenance, further reducing costs and complexity.
“This means that FactoryTalk DataMosaix was not only the right technical fit, but a more cost-effective solution that continues to deliver benefits over time,” said Murray Tester.
With several sites already deployed and more underway, JH Tester and Minetek see further opportunities for leveraging DataMosaix for anomaly detection, enterprise-level data integration, and even broader digital transformation in the future.
