Sliva,

A lot depends on the tracking requirements. If you only need to track the amount of iron ore delivered from the mine, a belt weigh scale with an electronic recorder can work. If you need to track both the iron ore weight (amount) delivered to the carrier (ship, truck, or rail car) and that delivered to the end user, weighing systems would be required at both ends of the delivery chain, or at the mine and with the carrier.

I may be dense, but I do not see how transponders can be used.

Regards, ■

Hello Sliva,

What an interesting post. I was asking myself exactly that question over a decade ago. It is a question to which I have given much thought over many years. I do not believe that, at present, you will find another technology with the functionality of rf transponders for this role. If such technology was available, I believe it would be showing up in traditional transponder applications right now. Instead, rfid technology is poised on the brink of a major expansion in use as Wal-Mart begins trials in the US.

I do applaud the foresight of your sponsors for investing in research in this area. I believe that, in the bulk solids handling field, we have only begun to scratch the surface of the potential on-site applications of the newer information technologies and developments in physics.

I wish you well in your endeavors. ■