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become an even more significant part of everyday life at the mine , with the aim that all blasts will be executed from one place in a controlled , effective and safe manner , according to Forcit .
Underground communications
A reliable communications backbone is of the utmost importance to get such a wireless blasting system operating effectively , with mines all over the globe tapping network experts to install such a platform .
As part of the contract supporting EVRAZ ’ s digital transformation program at the Sheregeshskaya underground iron ore mine in south-central Russia , Ericsson and Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ( MTS ) are deploying a commercial LTE / 5G-ready private network built on the Ericsson Dedicated Networks solution .
The Sheregeshskaya mine is a pilot area for EVRAZ ’ s digital transformation program , which began in 2020 . The program is geared towards introducing modern digital technologies to increase industrial safety , boost equipment efficiency and improve production .
Set to be integrated with the mine ’ s existing communications network and IT infrastructure , the wireless dedicated network provided by Ericsson and MTS will be the first stage in the transformation program , according to Ericsson .
The solution – which will include a system for voice radio communications , video broadcasting , emergency notifications , dispatching , positioning and autonomous control of mining equipment – will feature carrier-grade Ericsson Enterprise Core and Ericsson Radio System Micro nodes , providing the level of connectivity needed to enable smart capabilities for the next generation of mining , it added .
The network “ will lay the foundation for a seamless upgrade to 5G in the future without requiring significant changes in its architecture ”, Ericsson said . “ This will ensure fast migration to 5G without interruption .”
This is not the only Russia-based mining operation looking into 5G .
MTS and Polymetal International , in November , announced plans to deploy Russia ’ s first commercial 5G-ready private network – based on Ericsson ’ s Dedicated Networks solution – at the Nezhdaninskoye gold mine in Yakutia .
JSC South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company , a Polymetal affiliate , plans to leverage the MTSdeployed network for integrated connectivity across IP-telephony , mobile devices , mine dispatch systems , remote and automated equipment control – including for excavators , drill rigs and measuring devices – as well as automated fire extinguishing systems and video monitoring .
The Ericsson Dedicated Networks solution complies with the 3GPP standards and includes a full-fledged carrier-grade network core , Ericsson says . It supports 4G and 5G Non- Standalone simultaneously and allows dualmode core capability to support 5G New Radio Standalone .
Not to be left behind , Sweden-based Telia is to build and manage a dedicated local 5G-ready mobile network for mining company Boliden at the Aitik open-pit copper mine , in the north of Sweden .
Over time , the new mobile network will be used to monitor and control machines in the mine , with the aim of improving productivity , the working environment and operational safety .
Telia will deliver a complete solution to Boliden with both radio network and core network and is responsible for continuous management and development of the solution . The solution is based on the latest 4Gtechnology from Ericsson and can be upgraded to 5G over time , according to Telia .
Telia and Boliden , together with partners like Ericsson , have a long-standing partnership to explore digitalisation in mining and were the first in the world to launch an underground 5Gnetwork in a mine , Telia said .
To allow for flexibility in the operations , Telia will deploy a mobile base station at Aitik . Boliden can also choose to add new services to its dedicated mobile network , like small 5G dots to enhance indoor coverage or walkie-talkie functionality in its mobile phones to enhance communication between workers in the mine . The solution Telia delivers to Boliden is based on the service Enterprise Mobile Network , EMN .
Still in Sweden , the Lundin Mining-owned Zingkruvan zinc mine recently embarked on a trial of tele-remote drilling using a 4G LTE network supplied by Telia as part of the miner ’ s shift towards autonomous operation .
Zinkgruvan Mining was the first operation in Sweden to install an LTE network underground , it claims , and has become the first company in the world to leverage this LTE network to carry out tele-remote drilling of an Epiroc Simba E7C top hammer drill rig .
The test has seen operators control the rigs , positioned around 650 m underground , from an above-ground station on site .
A collaboration between Zinkgruvan , Epiroc and Telia , the project has used a previously installed network at the mine to re-start drilling soon after blasting concludes , while removing the lost production that can come with shift changeover .
Bring in the reinforcement
At another one of the Nordic region ’ s innovation testbeds , Sweden-based Bergteamet AB is showcasing its varied contract mining expertise .
As early as 2008 , Bergteamet appointed a group of operators to focus on dynamic rock reinforcement for underground mines and tunnels . Since then , it has mounted almost 800,000 mesh bolts and 150,000 wire bolts .
Back in April 2020 , it kicked off a project with LKAB at the Malmberget iron ore mine that includes dynamic reinforcement , mesh and wire reinforcement .
“ As far as I know , we were among the first in Sweden to use this reinforcement method ,” Mats Ragnarsson , Bergteamet ' s Site Manager in Malmberget , said of the company ’ s dynamic rock reinforcement with mesh strategy . This method , the company says , provides better protection than traditional reinforcement , with the mesh and bolts taking up the so-called “ dynamic loads ” and “ capture movements ” in connection with seismic events and settlements .
In this scenario , the mesh is used to catch rock outcrops so no rockfalls occur .
The dynamic rock reinforcement is mainly used at deeper mine levels where the rock pressure is higher and the risk of rock falls is greater .
The dynamic bolts come with in-built flexibility unlike traditional bolts with treaded rebar that are static , Bergteamet says . The dynamic rock reinforcement option can also be supplemented with a wire bolt , where , if a seismic event occurs , the bolt ’ s pressed anchors are activated , enabling the bolt to stretch considerably before it breaks off .
When the reinforcement is carried out , a concrete layer is first sprayed on the tunnel areas , then bolts and mesh are placed on top of the concrete . The traditional bolt pattern usually has a crack control distance of 1.5 m or 2 m . When mesh is set , the bolt pattern is typically one meter . The work is carried out mechanically with a rig that can drill , bolt and is equipped with a mesh arm such as Epiroc ’ s Boltec , Bergteamet says .
Ragnarsson said : “ Dynamic rock reinforcement provides a safer solution in every way , even if the installation takes a little longer . Another advantage is that the mesh and bolts cooperate with each other when they are mounted and take up loads together .”
Electrified hole charging
Finland-based mining utility vehicle major , Normet , is continuing to electrify parts of the underground mining process across the globe after cementing the business case for its Smart Drive vehicles at the Pyhäsalmi mine in Finland .
Its Charmec MC 605 VE Smart Drive batterypowered emulsion charger is continuing its tour of Australia , with Barminco having recently signed up to trial the machine for three months
48 International Mining | MAY 2021