First Mining Drc-Zambia March -April 2020 digital edition First Mining Drc-Zambia March - April 2020 digital | Page 19

For example, only in 2019, over 10% of the AgnicoEagle LZ5 mine production has been done using remotely controlled mining equipment. This number will increase in 2020. A mining equipment that used to operate 18 hours on a 24 hours cycle now runs 24h on a 24h cycle! This is a 33% increase. The well proven and reliable LTE technology is an enabler allowing mining companies to address their automation needs and increase their efficiency while reducing their deployment costs. The cost of deploying LTE is cheaper than Wi- Fi networks and the rapidity to deploy the network underground is astonishing with an installation rate of 1.5km per day. The robust LTE technology provides data, voice, push-to-talk, IoT, tracking and tele-operation capabilities to the face without using active components in the tunnels. A single active LTE radio installed in the substations can provide coverage to 6km of underground tunnels! It would take between 60 to 80 active Wi-Fi access points to cover the same area. Tracking with underground mines not only help locating assets and persons, it allows mining companies to save a lot of money by using ventilation on demand. Fans are turned off if there is nobody in some areas of the mine. Low cost and low power LTE sensors can now be powered on a battery that last up to 10 years. Adding Push-to-talk users or talk groups takes a few minutes and is much more flexible than traditional Photo Credit: AgnicoEagle LMT which requires adding frequencies and reprogramming every radio. Hands free full-duplex voice and video calls can now be done between workers allowing then to use both of their hands in case of an emergency. Here are some key aspects of the LTE technology: • Low frequencies and non-line of sight communication • End-to-end quality of service (QoS) for mission critical applications • Operational characteristics 1. Increase RF safety by using very low RF power compared to 802.11 and LMR 2. licensed band spectrum eliminating interference 3. high spectrum density 4. seamless mobility • On-premise LTE server ensuring • • data integrity and security Real-time tracking capabilities and emergency messaging system Remote operation of drills, LHD and trucks Today, LTE has been deployed and tested by multiples mining customers in both open-pit and underground mining environments. Multiples mining applications have been developed and tested over LTE. Even legacy layer-2 applications are now compatible with LTE networks. The world leader in private LTE networks [email protected] www.fmdrc-Zambia.com 17