Caterpillar has expanded its digital mining technology capabilities, acquiring spatial data specialist Skycatch to strengthen its data-driven solutions for mine planning and operational performance.
The acquisition follows Caterpillar’s recent purchase of RPMGlobal and is designed to enhance the company’s portfolio of mining technologies that help customers optimise material movement.
“Acquiring Skycatch aligns with our strategy to solve our customers’ toughest challenges,” Caterpillar Resource Industries group president Denise Johnson said.
“By integrating near-real-time, high-resolution spatial data into both RPM and MineStar solutions, we can help customers improve mine site performance by enhancing safety, productivity and predictability across their operations using both staffed and autonomous fleets.”
Skycatch’s technology captures high-frequency, high-precision spatial data and combines it with artificial intelligence to identify, measure and analyse mine site conditions, providing operators with an up-to-date view of operations to improve decision-making.
RPMGlobal chief executive officer Richard Mathews said the technology would enable miners to adapt plans more quickly as operating conditions changed.
“With a near real-time spatial view of the operation, miners can adjust plans as conditions change, improve alignment between planning and execution, and deliver more predictable outcomes,” Mathews said.
Skycatch founder and chief executive officer Christian Sanz said joining Caterpillar would strengthen the company’s ability to support customers while delivering greater value through its technology.
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