EXCURSION •
A world Wi-Fi first “ Our Wi-Fi dialogue with Datacentrix , an established preferred IT partner of Two Rivers , started as a casual conversation ,” Joubert explains . “ The Datacentrix team really put its head on a block when it came to the proof of concept ( PoC ) project we rolled out last year .
The technology put forward is not typically used within the mining context , making it the first time in the world that underground distributed Wi-Fi has been attempted at this scale .”
According to Shawn Marx , business unit manager : converged solutions at Datacentrix the technology proposed to Two Rivers had to be ' ruggedised ' to withstand the harsh mining environment , including blasting taking place underground .
It also needed to be customised to meet the client ' s specific requirements , so an off-the-shelf type product was out of the question .
“ Mines are dynamic environments that are always changing , and the solution needed to be able to adapt as the mine evolves and , as the face moves forward , so does the infrastructure .”
After testing several potential scenarios , the most effective solution comprised the use of Wi-Fi . “ This particular PoC leverages the cost effectiveness and ease of integration of Wi-Fi ,” Marx adds .
The distributed architecture installed at Two Rivers Platinum incorporates a central access point capable of connecting up to 48 easily installable remote antennas . The benefit of this technology is that it makes use of a single frequency network , so all antennas and end points connect on the same channel , therefore reducing interference .
The smart antennas provide for Wi-Fi 6 , the great enabler for convergence between information technology ( IT ) and operational technology ( OT ) networks , while enhancing signal strength and coverage area within specific spaces . They are also equipped with Bluetooth 5 , used for location-based services .
Enabling a major comms advancement “ This proof of concept with Datacentrix was the first time in 10 years in the board and pillar mining industry that we ' ve made a breakthrough with underground communications ,” states Joubert .
“ While previously we have not been able to achieve a stable network , we ' re now seeing very reliable communication coming from underground .
“ It ' s live , immediate and working – to the extent that we can now even run virtual meetings underground .”
One of the major values realised via the PoC to date is the enablement of location-based services . The project incorporates a service engine that provides location tracking as well as triangulation , which is able to distinguish between machine , man , and other assets within the mine . The tracking function used can display patterns , such as employee routines for specific days , heat mapping for certain times , and also extensive contact tracing functionality for added health and safety benefits .
“ Communications are immediate , and technicians are empowered to carry out faster fault finding and closing out . Equipment , such as our underground mining load haul dump ( LHD ) loader , boom drill rig and utility vehicles , is also feeding live data , so the status of each machine is available for proactive maintenance purposes , from diesel running low to an engine over-heating .
“ In addition , emergencies can now be fast tracked via the Wi-Fi network . Where previously the control room may not have been able to envisage the issue , now both video footage and photos can be communicated , accelerating the right response .
“ We believe that these advantages will completely set Two Rivers Platinum apart going forward , as our improved ability to react to challenges makes fully autonomous mining a possibility , as well as providing us with access to even greater innovation . This technology is set to take mining into the future ,” says Joubert .
“ Datacentrix ' strong relationship focus and its willingness to engage have again been brought to the fore . The company spent time learning about our particular challenges to find the right technology for Two Rivers and adapted it according to our unique needs . They really listened to us , understood the ecosystem , and were interested in what we wanted to achieve ,” he concludes .
As a Huawei Gold Partner , Datacentrix provides Huawei ’ s portfolio of enterprise wireless solutions . Datacentrix has achieved its IT Certified Service Partner ( CSP ) 3-Stars certification from the global ICT infrastructure provider , further qualifying the company to better solve the challenges of digital transformation through the partnership .
The distributed architecture installed at the Two Rivers Platinum incorporates a central access point capable of connecting up to 48 easily installable remote antennas .
Datacentrix enables digitalisation success Our specialist teams leverage the combined power of information and communications technologies to connect , transform , improve and future-proof business , supporting clients throughout their digital journey .
Datacentrix offers deep technical expertise across a mature offering , providing proven execution capability that is endorsed by the world ’ s foremost technology partners . With a strong African footprint , the company is recognised for its agility , in-depth industry knowledge , ethical practices and strong overall performance .
The company is a Level One ( AAA ) B-BBEE Contributor , with 135 % procurement recognition . For more information , please visit www . datacentrix . co . za . •
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African Mining • September 2021 • 17 |