Montrans DVR Plus: Russia’s “Second Pilot” Keeps Mining Drivers Safe
The Montrans DVR Plus intelligent video system has been deployed on 80 pieces of mining equipment at Polyus Sukhoy Log, one of Russia’s largest gold-mining sites. Operating in real time, the system monitors critical events in driver behavior and actions.
The system keeps the driver under constant observation. It records everything from brief distractions and smoking to phone use, unsafe following distances, aggressive driving, and other violations. Based on these observations, the Montrans DVR Plus software generates analytical reports and driver performance rankings.
Warns Drivers Before It's Too Late
The project goes far beyond simple video recording, combining AI-powered video analytics, driver-behavior monitoring, industrial safety functions, and mining fleet management. Importantly, the Russian-developed system has demonstrated strong performance in challenging conditions, including night hauling, mountainous terrain, and long-distance routes. The platform not only records violations but also warns drivers in advance, functioning as a “second pilot.” With this type of assistance, falling asleep at the wheel becomes highly unlikely.
According to preliminary estimates, the number of undesirable events has fallen threefold since deployment. Previous implementations have also shown reductions of up to 16% in fleet maintenance and repair costs, while fuel and lubricant consumption can decline by as much as 12%.
Digitalization Covers the Entire Production Cycle
Polyus regularly deploys advanced digital technologies, particularly at the Olimpiada Mining and Processing Plant in Krasnoyarsk Territory. A structured digitalization program is transforming the site into one of the sector’s most technologically advanced assets. The initiative spans the entire production cycle: from geological exploration and mine planning to the final stages of ore processing. Using Big Data tools and mathematical modeling, metal content in the ore can be forecasted with high precision. Operational adjustments to production plans significantly improve overall gold recovery efficiency.
Fleet-dispatch and equipment-condition monitoring systems not only reduces equipment downtime but also improves industrial safety standards. Operations become transparent and manageable from a centralized monitoring station. As a result, modern gold mining increasingly combines large-scale production capacity with intelligent technologies. The deployment of Montrans DVR Plus contributes directly to this transformation.
The Company Behind the System
Montrans DVR Plus was developed by the Montrans Group, a company specializing in fleet digitalization, integrated automation solutions for transportation operators, and the production and supply of telematics hardware and software.
A defining feature of Montrans DVR Plus is the integration of ADAS, the advanced driver-assistance system, with DMS, the driver-monitoring system. The software transmits data to a cloud service integrated with an analytics platform, storing video and image material for up to 1.5 years. The system also supports flexible event configurations, such as prohibiting smoking in designated geofenced areas.
Montrans has operated in the Russian IT market since 2003. The company was founded in Chelyabinsk literally from scratch by Dmitry Zhuravlev, who initially handled both equipment sales and installations across the country himself. At launch, total investment was equivalent to the cost of a passenger car. Since then, the company has undergone two rebranding efforts and has grown without relying on external loans or borrowed capital.
Montrans has participated in strategically important infrastructure projects across Russia and the CIS, including Power of Siberia, Yamal LNG, TurkStream, and the Central Ring Road. In 2022, the company won the global GITEX GLOBAL competition for a product designed to enhance transportation safety in Russia’s Far North. Today, Montrans maintains offices not only in Russia but also in the UAE and India.
According to industry observers, the next likely stage for Montrans DVR Plus is the integration of video analytics with dispatch, maintenance, fuel management, and production planning. For mining companies, this could mean more transparent fleet operations, reduced downtime, and higher levels of industrial safety.
