Modern Mining November 2020

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

build highly mobile and robust connections in industrial environments, Rajant’s wireless Kinetic Mesh network is ideally suited to meet the mining industry’s fierce demands. For the harsh and changing conditions typical of the underground mining industry, reliable connectivity is crucial, and Kinetic Mesh pro- vides just that. With vehicles, equipment, and people always in motion, operators desire seamless communication between mobile or fixed assets. Rajant BreadCrumb nodes facilitate this via multiple peer con- nections, and every node in a Kinetic Mesh network has the ability to act independently with full routing capabilities. The Breadcrumb can receive and transmit data simultaneously whilst also acting as a local Wi-Fi transmitter. Dynamically selecting the fastest route for traffic to the next best path if any other becomes blocked or unavailable, the Rajant InstaMesh networking protocol provides outstanding network performance in an underground mining’s subterranean conditions. Importantly, a connec- tion is not compromised by the task of moving the backhaul network around in adverse conditions or away from blasts, allowing personnel and equipment to continue production regardless of the operational environment. Proven connectivity benefits Internationally, mining operators across the globe are utilising Rajant for both open-pit and underground communications. In the prosper- ous African mining region, Rajant has deployments in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Mozambique, DRC, Zambia, Mali, Guinea, Cote D’Ivoire, Angola, Burkina Faso, Namibia, and Madagascar. All of these mines require a network that can help realise the full benefits of being a digitalised mine. It’s well-proven technology in action 24 x 7 x 365. The deployment of a redundant and wireless Kinetic Mesh network will support the future of mining and support all technologies, providing operators with the peace of mind to fully capitalise on the new age of digitisation and reap the benefits for their workforce.  While mining technology has improved immensely over time, the machinery, devices, and vehicles used still make it a hazardous business.

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