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Wireless Communications for Mining

Modern mining is a high-tech undertaking in decidedly hostile environments

Safe and efficient mine operation requires precise coordination of some of the world’s largest, most expensive machines in locations with punishing heat and cold, as well as extreme shock and vibration. A reliable wireless mining communications system is core to achieving this difficult feat—ensuring safety and productivity while protecting people and assets in grueling environs—by providing a reliable network foundation for crucial applications

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Tropos TRO600 Series

Hybrid wireless portfolio for mining

How it works

Wireless mining communication networks transport data, voice, and video, supporting applications that are essential to efficient and safe mine operations. The network is typically comprised of both fixed and mobile nodes. Wireless communications products operating in this setting must be ruggedized and capable of handling extreme temperatures and weather conditions, shock and vibration, as well as dirt and dust. Often, the active mining site is transient, so the network must be easy to move and set up in different locations around the mine every few months. To provide maximum benefit, wireless mining communication networks must offer broadband speeds and form a flexible and reliable foundation to securely support multiple applications on one cost-effective physical infrastructure.

A single mining communication network can simultaneously support a range of applications such as:

Fleet management

  • Continuously optimize mine operations through real-time work order assignment and vehicle guidance/positioning to maximize productivity and capital utilization. 
  • Fleet management systems require reliable, high-performance, and flexible mobile networks to keep the mine running.

Live monitoring of mobile equipment telemetry

  • Increases uptime, improves operational efficiencies and lowers costs,
  • Enhance the safety of mission-critical heavy-duty mining equipment. 
  • Use data for early equipment problem identification/problem avoidance, remote diagnostics, and scheduling optimal time for routine and preventative maintenance. 
  • Data collection includes truck speed, tire pressure and temperature, and load.

Real-time video feeds for operations

  • Gain 24x7 visibility into mining pit activities for greater situational awareness and safety.
  • Quickly respond if a problem is detected.
  • Time-stamped recordings support remote correlation of alarms with actual events.

Video surveillance

  • Remotely monitor key facilities, such as explosive storage locations and mixing sites.
  • Enable perimeter security and monitoring for illicit activity and site entry.
  • Stay alert to emergency situations, such as fire or storm damage.

Access control

  • Monitor all site entry locations.
  • Grant access only to authorized personnel for security and safety.
  • Control methods can include keypads, fobs, keycards, and biometrics.

Safety system monitoring

  • Enhance personnel and site safety.
  • Real-time monitoring applications include “man down” systems and streaming radar scans of pit walls to detect movement and possible stability problems.

Mobile field communications

  • Provide communications and data access among different locations: connect workers in the minefields to staff in operations control and processing plants.
  • Improve operational efficiencies and productivity.

Field access to drill and blast data

  • Enables workers to quickly determine the proper amount of placement of explosives.

Mining Management Software (MMS)

  • Use remote analysis applications to make operational decisions.
  • Increase mining productivity and profitability.

Autonomous and semi-autonomous mining applications

  • Enable remote mining equipment operation without human operators.
  • Keep people out of dangerous situations.
  • Increase productivity.

Customer Success Stories