Modern Mining November 2020

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Protecting important underground mine assets in real-time

The adoption of personnel and asset tracking technology is on the rise throughout the mining industry. In this article (exclusive to Modern Mining ), Chris Mason, VP of sales for EMEA at Rajant Corporation, discusses how, if tracking technology is to provide a solution to one of the biggest challenges across IIoT industries – such as underground mining – must be backed by reliable, robust connectivity which can thrive in the face of the most extreme conditions.

T he mining sector is a dynamic and fast-growing global industry. For Africa, one of the largest and most influential mining regions worldwide, vast amounts of precious mineral commodities such as valuable platinum, copper and gold are pro- duced every day. Rivalling the output of countries such as the United States, Australia and Russia, South Africa has two of the top 10 largest gold mines in the world and South African mining companies dominate the African market, with Anglo American netting US$29,87-billion in revenue in 2019. While mining technology has improved immensely over time, the machinery, devices, and vehicles used still make it a hazardous business. Communication technology is emerging as a tool to alleviate the dangers, ensuring hazardous areas such as underground mines can be made safer to protect personnel and increase operational efficiency. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is facilitating the significant growth of the number of connected devices and equipment, increasing the vast amount of data and communications being sent and received. If mining operators utilise integrated solu- tions such as automated machinery, data analytics, sensors, connectivity, and surveillance systems, the rewards can be plentiful. From 2003 to 2030, Deloitte estimates that US$50-billion will be invested into mining projects in Africa. To ensure safety as production increases, African mining operators can benefit hugely from implementing advanced communications systems. They can ensure their operations and applications remain low-risk and productive, and that vital con- nectivity keeps running both underground and on the surface. Unparalleled opportunities To meet the fierce demands for modern mining, the industry is determined to harness and deploy digital technologies that will enable it to build the

Chris Mason, VP of sales for EMEA at Rajant Corporation. mines of tomorrow. While the introduction of new technologies continues to provide unprecedented opportunities, operators are keen for reduced costs and improved worker safety. Operators must have a reliable and robust communications system to efficiently manage and monitor high quantities of high-value machinery and equipment over a vast environment. Extending or repairing fibre networks requires significant time and expense. Highly dependent on fixed infrastructure, traditional wireless networks, such as Point-to-Multi-Point (PMP) and Wi-Fi, and even LTE cannot be easily relocated and involve additional complex re-configuration, which can take a significant amount of time. In an ever-changing mine environment, the coverage for such systems can be drastically impacted, which can affect real-time pro- ductivity levels. It is essential that a communications solution deployed in a mine function in extreme con- ditions and be capable of seamless transport away from new blast zones, without any need for changed configuration. Also, with high throughput demands and com- plex environments with varying depths and slopes, the mine topography can limit the ability of the wire- less signals to travel and poses a significant hurdle for operators to overcome. If networks don’t have the durability to withstand the harsh conditions, expenses can arise from regular technician visits.

30  MODERN MINING  November 2020