Life-saving mining technology

October 2018 Mining (Industry), Security Services & Risk Management, Products & Solutions

Mine safety is of grave concern in South Africa, with Mining Minister, Gwede Mantashe, calling on mines to dramatically improve the safety conditions for miners following the deaths at Palabora Mining Company in Limpopo earlier this year. The death toll in SA mines this year has reached 54, heading towards the deadliest year in mining since 2012.

Technology is now available in South Africa that includes an early warning device that can notify miners of danger earlier in the working face of the mine, as well as radios which can be used in remote places.

Yoni Margalit, managing director of South African company Advanced Communications says that many miners have died because it takes too long to warn people underground, if they can be reached at all, making quick action almost impossible. The existing unreliable ‘mining telephone’ and leaky feeder systems in use, only reach developed areas within the mine and are often compromised in underground catastrophes.

“Advanced Communications has sourced advanced radios which use the mine’s existing metallic and conductive infrastructure to create reliable communication paths underground that extend for kilometres. This allows the mine to have a backup radio system that works whether mine power is on or off, post-incident and even through obstructions. Furthermore, we locally-developed and manufacture the WARN (wireless alert remote notification) devices in South Africa which ensure that each miner is able to receive warnings immediately underground, no matter where they are and whether existing communications are functioning or not. These are wearable pager-like devices that alert each miner to a problem by vibrating, flashing and beeping using medium frequency, allowing them to evacuate without delay.”

The communication radios are already in use by Mines Rescue Services (MRS), a globally renowned private sector, non-profit organisation in South Africa that provides resources and expertise for effective emergency services to ensure improved communication between members of its team during rescue operations. MRS have tested the radios extensively in underground situations and found that they provided continuous communication signal strength of 5/5 over distances of more than three kilometres.

MRS was also heavily involved in testing the WARN device which also showed great success in receiving the warning signal even in undeveloped areas of a mine where no visible metallic infrastructure could be seen.

How the radio system works

The radios provide advanced medium frequency radios to mine operators as a reliable, cost-effective solution to communication and tracking needs. They use cables, wires, tracks and pipes to create survivable, redundant communication paths underground that extend for kilometres. The technology uses medium frequency radio systems that work whether mine power is on or off, post-incident and even through obstructions. Complete installation of the radio system can be achieved in a matter of hours and offers mine operators the lowest cost-per-metre of any communication system on the market. The radios fulfil the Mine Health and Safety Act requirement for a redundant, secondary, wireless communication system.

The WARN is a device that will be assigned to each individual miner and can alert them to surface or to get to a refuge bay immediately once any danger is known. The WARN device receives an emergency medium frequency signal sent from a transmitter which is connected to all the mine’s underground detection systems. The signal is sent via magnetic induction which means that the signal is sent through the existing metallic infrastructure underground and is not dependent on any communication cabling. The WARN device can give audible, visual and vibration warnings insuring the miner has every chance of early notification of imminent danger and has the chance to make it to a refuge bay as quick as possible.

Once at the refuge chamber, the locally designed WARN device immediately identifies and tracks each miner using a built-in RF tag reader. The information is sent to surface via the same medium frequency on the metallic infrastructure even if the mine’s communications are down. This means that in the control room at surface, operators have a real-time view of which miners have reached the refuge chambers and who is still unaccounted for.

Coordinated evacuation or rescue missions are quicker and more reliable giving first responders the best chance of reaching the miners and ultimately, giving miners the best chance of survival in an emergency.

See more at http://advancedcomms.co.za





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Your Wi-Fi router is about to start watching you
News & Events Surveillance Security Services & Risk Management
Advanced algorithms are able to analyse your Wi-Fi signals and create a representation of your movements, turning your home's Wi-Fi into a motion detection and personal identification system.

Read more...
Secure, modernise and optimise CCTV
Surveillance Products & Solutions
Industrial and commercial organisations are navigating complex digital transformation processes. With SecuVue, companies can bridge the gap between operational technology and information technology for safer, smarter operations.

Read more...
Water mist for optimal fire suppression
Fire & Instrument Services Fire & Safety Products & Solutions
Building owners, facility managers and other professionals are seeking fire suppression solutions that can meet the demands of modern buildings and facilities, including reduced water usage and environmental impact, while providing the necessary protection for assets and business operations.

Read more...
Smoke 'em out
Fire & Safety Products & Solutions
The moment an intrusion is detected, Smoke Screen’s high-powered fog cannons activate, flooding the area with a dense, harmless fog that reduces visibility to near zero within seconds.

Read more...
IoT innovation in water mist fire protection
Fire & Safety Products & Solutions IoT & Automation
Marioff, a provider of water mist fire protection, has introduced an Internet of Things (IoT) solution designed for high-pressure water mist systems, enabling real-time monitoring, smart alerts, and centralised control.

Read more...
Advanced fire safety solutions
Fire & Safety Products & Solutions
With fire incidents on the rise, it is crucial to choose fire safety solutions that are proven, reliable, and capable of providing early detection and efficient response.

Read more...
Cybersecurity and insurance partnership for sub-Saharan Africa
Sophos News & Events Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
Sophos and Phishield Announce first-of-its-kind cybersecurity and insurance partnership for sub-Saharan Africa. The SMARTpod podcast, discussing the deal and the state of ransomware in South Africa and globally, is now also available.

Read more...
Secure, touchless access control
Access Control & Identity Management Products & Solutions Commercial (Industry)
Invixium has joined forces with SAP to deliver a touchless access control experience for the S.Mart Store, SAP’s first fully automated, 24/7 self-service retail outlet, located at its global headquarters in Walldorf, Germany.

Read more...
Eagle Eye Precision Person & Vehicle Detection
Surveillance Products & Solutions AI & Data Analytics
Eagle Eye’s new Precision Person & Vehicle Detection feature detects people and vehicles at long distances with high accuracy and is especially designed for customers who actively monitor for intruders

Read more...
Hikvision launches AcuSeek NVR
Surveillance Products & Solutions AI & Data Analytics
By integrating natural language interaction, Hikvision’s AcuSeek NVR enables precise video and image retrieval within seconds, marking a transformative milestone for the security industry's advance into intelligent and efficient applications.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.