MINING NETWORKS & CONNECTIVITY
this quickly becomes an important asset to
increase the speed of decision-making. By
enabling better communication through the LTE
signal, confidential group communications with
workers underground and others on the surface
are facilitated and result in instant decisionmaking.
In fact, this system is resistant to cyber
attacks, making audio communications and data
transfers even more secure. It therefore also
becomes possible to call in external experts from
underground to solve problems.”
The company adds: “Beyond audio calls,
Facetime-type video calls are even more of an
asset for our employees. The ability to show a
fault in real time to an expert or an employee on
the surface, to order a part or even to expose the
state of the machines directly to his supervisor are
just a few advantages of this technology. Providing
crisp, fluid vision is a huge complementary
resource to audio. The flexibility for
instrumentation is also greatly improved thanks to
the mobility as well as the ease of deployment
that the LTE network allows. This is because the
LTE solution does not require any wires or major
installations to operate, which simplifies access
and makes operations less complex for employees.”
Moreover, as this system allows to have one
cable for three systems, the workload is reduced.
With the tools offered by this technology, the
employees also have the possibility of telemetry
of the equipment, that is to say of seeing the state
of the machinery in real time, which contributes to
the improvement as well as troubleshooting
installations. The latter is possible, among other
things, thanks to HMI (Human Machine Interface)
which allows employees to interact with
machines, notably used in the control room, for
pumping, ventilation, backfill and electrical
networks.
“Not only are communications and flexibility
improved, but the implementation of this
technology also increases our productivity and
reliability by going beyond established QoS
(Quality of service) standards. The LTE solution
allows you to access data sheets from anywhere
with phones, but also to complete reports directly
on tablets, improving the speed of execution of
our operations. In short, the continuity of
operations in a safe and efficient manner is
therefore strongly ensured by the reliable LTE
solution. It will also be possible to go even further
in terms of improvement, among other things, by
combining this system with the VOD (Ventilation
on demand) system in future projects.”
Maestro advances Plexus PowerNet
Maestro Digital Mine says it continues to work
with global underground mines to address the
challenges associated with traditional
communication backbone solutions resulting in
their Plexus PowerNet™ – last mile
communications solution; a Gigabit network
providing both power and data using flexible
coaxial cable.
Maestro designed a communication network
that simplified the installation, extension, and
maintenance, while enabling high bandwidth, low
latency, low jitter data and endpoint power using
tried-and-true coaxial copper cable. The
termination process now becomes easy and cost
effective, utilising basic tools. A termination can
be completed by any tradesperson in less than 5
minutes.
Michael Gribbons, CEO and Co-Founder told
IM: “By applying this enabling backbone
technology to an existing fibre network, the
entire mine infrastructure can have a new life. In
a mine, fibre has its place but needs to be well
protected from the high traffic areas where LHDs
and trucks can damage the cable. The Plexus
PowerNet™ is typically added to either the
existing fibre patch panel or network switch
located on the level entry. The durable coaxial
cable is the most effective at providing data to
the face of the mine. The Plexus PowerNet™
simplifies the advancement and repair of the
network. When the communication cable is
damaged by the either the mobile fleet or fly
rock, a simple splice repair can get the network
up and running saving precious production time.
Having both power and data on single coaxial
cable reduces advancement time as well as
multiple trades reducing both CAPEX and OPEX.
Bringing data to the surface allows short interval
control that improves both production rates and
miner safety.”
For example, a global nickel mining company in
Ontario had existing fibre optic infrastructure that
ended at critical substations underground but no
additional network beyond. The mine wanted a
“last mile” solution to support their paste fill
operation since this ultimately is a production
bottle neck. The mine decided to use the Plexus
Maestro's Plexus PowerNet™ is typically added
to either the existing fibre patch panel or
network switch located on the level entry
PowerNet™ since it combined both DC power and
data so that PoE+ Ethernet cameras and PoE+ LED
lights could operate on a single cable. The camera
is used to monitor the paste fill operation from
surface assuring that the paste is arriving to the
stope. Many mines using paste fill have broken or
worn out pipe and fittings during a stope filling
sequence causing both safety and production
concerns.
Already, several other levels and applications
are being added. Gribbons added: “The Plexus
PowerNet™ can be connected to any device that
is Ethernet based. Whether it be process controls,
tracking, tele-remote automation, ground control,
ventilation monitoring, analytics, or seismic. If the
backbone is there, it can be implemented.
Downtime is minimised.”
3D-P’s Osprey Intelligent Endpoint
leverages Rajant InstaMesh to
complement LTE
LTE provides distinct benefits in meeting the
network requirements for autonomous
applications in open pit and underground mining
with its predictability and Quality of Service (QoS)
capabilities. 3D-P argues, however, that
experience at multiple sites worldwide, however,
has highlighted a number of challenges around
the cost of ‘filling’ in shadows with more LTE
infrastructure, limited uplink bandwidth and
needing a L2 fabric on top of LTE’s L3 architecture,
especially when mission critical performance of
your wireless network is a requirement.
Leveraging the multi-radio meshing capability
of Rajant’s InstaMesh technology, 3D-P says it is
proud to introduce its new Hybrid LTE/InstaMesh ®
Osprey Intelligent Endpoint ® (IEP). Designed to
complement LTE technology, the Hybrid Osprey
42 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2020