Mine Site Technologies - Mining Communication Solutions

Mine Site Technologies (MST) is the global leader in mining communication systems. MST’s technologies have been installed in over 400 mines around the world.

Digital communications and tracking for underground mines

The ImPact digital system takes a mine’s LAN underground, offering a quantum leap in bandwidth and hence, data quality and capacity. Deployed with major mine operations around the world, including such groups as Newmont Gold, Barrick Gold, Xstrata Coal, Xstrata Zinc, BHP Billiton, Centennial Coal, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), Agnico Eagle, one infrastructure provides the majority of a mine’s communication requirements, such as:

• Tracking via Wi-Fi RFID tags (see TRACKER tagging below for more details)
• Two-way voice with VoIP telephones
• Real-time vehicle diagnostics and payload data (vehicle intelligence platform)
• Automated traffic control systems
• Remote video
• Many other 802.11 based Wi-Fi applications and devices

Tagging system

TRACKER relies on active RFID tags being detected by readers (being our ImPact Wi-Fi access points). Hence, tracking just one of the applications available once an ImPact network is installed.

Tracking underground enables more cost-effective use of resources through the better management of vehicle fleets and personnel. Additionally, the tracking system provides a powerful safety tool, particularly in the time following any major incident underground.

Proximity detection system

MST has extended our RFID tracking system to allow proximity detection for workers around mobile equipment underground. The proximity detection system uses vehicle-mounted RFID receivers and processing units to alert drivers of personnel or other vehicles entering their vicinity.

Unlike other proximity or collision avoidance systems, MST’s system provides two distinct zones, inner and outer, for two levels of alert.

Through-the-earth emergency communications

PED is a through-the-earth (TTE) communication system installed in over 170 mines around the world. PED's unique ability to transmit directly through hundreds of meters of rock strata enables it to provide true mine-wide signal coverage. As such PED is used in many mines as the primary emergency communication system, as well as a general day to day communication system.

PED is being further developed to provide two-way, through-the-earth messaging between underground and surface personnel. This is particularly relevant to mines looking to implement the Miner Act requirements in the United States. As through-the-earth communication is the only truly wireless technology for underground mines, it provides a good option for the alternative communication requirements. Two-way TTE is planned for release in 2009.

Integrated communications cap lamp

Our lightweight, lithium ion cap lamp is much more than just a miner’s light; it can also include a number of underground mine communication devices, including PED receiver, RFID tag and radio. By using lithium-ion battery technology, it is much lighter than traditional cap lamps.

VDV leaky feeder radio system

Our VDV system is the most advanced VHF leaky feeder radio system available, and is capable of multi-channel, two-way voice and data. Apart from the standard two-voice communications, the quality of VDV enables applications in telemetry and remote blasting.

Remote centralized blast initiation system

BlastPED remains the only radio-based remote blasting system in full-time use at underground mines. Special receivers and exploders receive signals from the PED transmission system (or via the leaky feeder system) to allow the remote initiation of blasts.

Surface mining communications - mobile wireless mesh network

MST has formed an alliance with Rajant Corporation to incorporate their advanced active wireless mesh and control systems into its surface mining communication solutions.

Based on robust Wi-Fi-based units known as BreadCrumbs®, Rajant's advanced technology provides for the easy establishment of truly mobile meshed wireless networks.

Another version of BreadCrumb is used underground to form a flexible extension from our fixed Impact network into active mining areas.