MINE LIGHTING
LED illumination
The major suppliers of lighting technology to mines are now supplying smart LED solutions where lighting fixtures can adapt to conditions , as well as doubling up as tracking nodes in mobile applications , reports Paul Moore
MineARC will soon deploy its new GuardIAN underground smart lighting system at a mine in Mexico
The switch to LED lighting in mining is now well advanced and especially in the big mechanised mines , while the use of higher quality materials is also the norm , such as high grade stainless steel in fixings and aluminium housings , to minimise maintenance especially as mines become more automated .
So-called smart lighting is now the order of the day in mining , with all the major players offering or developing these types of solutions that can adapt to conditions and environments as well as in mobile applications combining lighting with tracking technology . Australia-based MineARC Systems as an example is now offering its GuardIAN Smart Lighting system for underground
mines , using colour-based directional assistance based on safe and unsafe areas of the mine , complete with in-built tracking technology .
“ Underground Smart Lighting from the GuardIAN Node range provides sites with the ability to remotely communicate safe and unsafe areas of an underground mine site , and most importantly , providing a visual alert when evacuation is necessary . The Smart Light also doubles as a Tracking Node , reporting on the location of all personnel underground . It can be utilised in conjunction with any combination of Gas Nodes and stand-alone Tracking Nodes ; providing a complete safety solution for underground mines .” MineARC General Manager , James Rau , told IM that the first installation is due to be made at an underground mine in Mexico in late 2020 .
The solution has a compact and rugged design , in-built UWB tracking technology , multiple colours and modes , plus a native ethernet device ( PoE ). Lights are linked via the GuardIAN Connect system and there is a battery backup . Light strings can be powered either by a MineARC Refuge Chamber or MineARC Satellite
UPS .
The GuardIAN dashboard displays a site-wide view of the activation of each GuardIAN Lighting Node , allowing complete control in both zones and individually . A lighting node breakdown view is also available , showing the zone location and status of each light .
A single GuardIAN Smart Light provides a range of selectable colour options ; including red , green and amber , as well as a standard white light . In addition , multiple modes of operation are available , including static , flashing for alerts and trailing for directional assistance . Sites can customise alerts as well as default lighting modes - both in regard to colour and function -
based on their particular preferences and current safety procedures .
“ The GuardIAN Smart Lighting Node aids in personnel navigation during an emergency scenario ; marking a clear visual path to the closest MineARC Refuge Chamber by changing colour to indicate safe or dangerous routes based on gas levels detected in the area .” MineARC recommends that GuardIAN Smart Lighting should be installed directly from the refuge chamber and along both sides of the tunnel wall . The bright LED lights will clearly illuminate the decline green when the route to the refuge chamber is safe ; providing personnel with clear navigational assistance and alleviating any doubt around which direction to travel . In contrast , GuardIAN Smart Lighting will change to red if the route to a particular refuge chamber is unsafe ; allowing personnel to change direction and navigate to another point of safe refuge .
HELLA ups the ante with new smart work lamp
The new RokLUME 280N SMART developed by HELLA specifically for mining vehicles it says not only offers many new light functions with one work lamp , but also offers easy installation for retrofit or OEM customers . To meet the demands of different weather or driving conditions , the work lamp is equipped with the following functions : dimming function , colour temperature change function and colour change to green or amber function . " With these functions , operators have the possibility to change the light to adapt to different conditions . Tests have shown that visibility in dust , snow or fog is significantly increased by changing the colour to green or amber . With the dimming function it is possible to avoid self-glaring or avoiding the glaring effect on others . Also , the colour temperature change function with its possibility to change smoothly from warm white to cold white lends to improved visibility in different situations ." This new solution HELLA says increases not only operator safety and health , but also the productivity .
The RokLUME 280N SMART has the same dimensions as the standard RokLUME 280N coming with a two pin DT connector for an easy upgrade . In addition , the RokLUME 280N SMART comes with six different light distributions : close range , long range , pencil beam , diffuse flood , tunnel flood ( optimal for underground mining ) and the new ZEROGLARE version . All these six light distributions are equipped with the SMART functions . In addition , the system is available with a lifetime function , anti-theft protection and memory function . With the memory function the operator can set different lighting setups .
The included body control unit ( HELLA gateway ), which is necessary to communicate with the work lamps , uses powerline communication ( PLC ). This allows clients to offer optional lighting packages without having to change the vehicle architecture . This means that it is no longer necessary , even with new
42 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020