NETWORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS
spectrum efficient wireless data networking
solutions in the marketplace today and allows
the achievement of extremely high data
throughputs for a given spectrum bandwidth.”
Innovative Wireless Technologies (IWT) is
headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA, and is
a leading supplier of wireless communications
and tracking systems to the underground mining
space in the USA with over 90 installations in
coal and metal/non-metal mines and tunnels.
“We also provide portable solutions for search
and rescue operations and other temporary
deployments. Intrinsically safe and non-
intrinsically safe, line or battery-powered
solutions are available, dependent on the
requirement of the application. IWT’s wireless
mesh technology is the foundation of our
solutions, enabling a robust and redundant
network architecture. It provides Quality of
Service for half-duplex voice communications
while supporting relatively low bandwidth data –
sufficient for personnel and asset location
information, various types of sensor data (from
gas monitors, for example), etc.”
The product line consists of infrastructure
mesh node (IS, non-IS, line and battery
powered), personnel and vehicle tracking tags,
several handsets, wireless battery-operated gas
monitors, dispatch and tracking stations and
services for technical support and maintenance.
“We are also the proud supplier of new
communications technology supporting mine
rescue operations in the United States. The US
Federal Mine Safety & Health Administration
Mine Emergency Unit, has selected and deployed
IWT’s Mine Rescue Communication System for all
of its mine rescue operations. State teams,
training centres, and mine operators are now
adopting the system as well.”
The company told IM on the underground
market: “Improving mining operational efficiency
and reducing costs is the trend of mining of all
types. For many operators increased production
is not necessarily the goal, based on demand and
inventory levels. Reducing the cost per tonne is a
universal goal – actually a requirement for
survival in some cases. The long-term goal is
automation, reducing headcount and increasing
safety, while increasing productivity. Surface
mining operations are further along in realising
that goal, while underground operations lag
behind their surface counterparts. But certain
technologies are needed to implement this
capability. While commercially available
technologies may work well on the surface, such
as GPS and various standard communications
technologies (Wi-Fi, LTE cellular), some do not
work as well or at all underground. These
technologies enable real-time tracking of assets
and visibility of vehicle health, maintenance, and
production data. Gaining reliable access to that
same data is the next step for underground
A desktop view of IWT SmartMine system
installed at a coal operation
operations. There is a large variation in the
mining of different minerals in present day
availability and use of that data. Even in precious
metal mines, which tend to be the most advanced
underground mining operations, the availability
of that data in the so-called “last mile” remains
elusive.”
The company adds: “Wi-Fi and fibre have been
the staple technologies for addressing the last
mile. Each brings its own capabilities and
weaknesses to the job, but share one attribute
that hampers their operational effectiveness,
including cost, for this challenging application:
both are wired technologies – in the case of Wi-
Fi, fibre connects Access Points. These wired
technologies don’t survive the blasting process
and, in some cases, don’t provide reliable, real-
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SEPTEMBER 2017 | International Mining 31