MINING NETWORKS
By having its own stable network , Metallonivest says it will be able to improve workplace safety by automating complex and hazardous processes . It will also be able to introduce MegaFon Trunking digital radio communications with geolocation functionality , which will be able to locate each worker in real time and enable a quick response in emergency situations .
Yulia Shutkina , Digital Transformation Director of Management Company Metalloinvest , said : “ Our companies have had a long and fruitful cooperation in IT technologies . MegaFon ’ s services help create an integrated information environment at production facilities and implement Metalloinvest ’ s innovative projects .”
Natalia Taldykina , Director of Corporate Business Development at MegaFon , said : “ Private LTE from MegaFon will allow the roll out of a digital circuit at Lebedinsky GOK and lay the groundwork for the introduction of promising vertically integrated solutions . This project will help the company to reduce costs by forgoing the use of other networks deployed at the enterprise .”
To ensure a stable signal inside the processing plants , indoor coverage will also be organised at the enterprise , which will make it possible to implement services based on video analytics , the industrial Internet of things , solutions for locating employees , maintenance and repair of equipment .
Hytera ’ s integrated LTE platform
The Hytera 4G LTE Intelligent Communications Solution for Mining it says offers “ an integrated platform capable of supporting a wide range of audio , video , data and M2M / IoT applications suitable for surface , strip , open-pit and underground mining ... greater investment in automation , robotics , in-pit mobility solutions , data-centric analytics and the creation of a digitally enabled workforce is key . Digitallyenabled hardware tools are being deployed to perform or improve activities that have
Nutrien deploys LTE at Rocainville
Nutrien , the world largest potash producer , now uses LTE technology at its Rocainville operation in Sascatchewan , Canada . The new LTE infrastructures deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic allow coverage both above and underground . Ambra Solutions was chosen as the supplier after testing of several potential LTE provider technologies . As part of this deployment , Nutrien has also performed several tests comparing WiFi and LTE . Ambra told IM that the results were “ astonishing and shown that one LTE antenna can cover five times more distance in a straight underground tunnel that one WiFi antenna .” In addition to improving worker safety , LTE is also enabling new use cases such as tracking , remote operations and real time communications . There are also currently plans to deploy LTE at other Nutrien Canadian operations .
Brent Poohkay , Executive Vice President , Chief Information Officer at Nutrien said in a March 2021 article titled Embracing LTE for safer , nextgeneration mining that the move is part of its Next Generation Potash Initiatives – “ technology improvements like automation that aim to make our operations the safest , most reliable , most efficient and lowest cost from the mine to the mill . Today , for example , 100 % of the mining fleet at our Rocanville site can run without the operator present during shift changes . We ’ re also using machine vision technology – which allows for automated monitoring of conveyor belts – as part of a broader predictive maintenance program .”
On LTE specifically he commented : “ The sheer scale of some mining operations is difficult for many people to fathom . Take Nutrien ’ s Rocanville operation , the world ’ s largest potash mine . It ’ s essentially the same area as Detroit , but a kilometre underground . Now , imagine trying to communicate halfway across Detroit using only WiFi . In massive underground operations like Rocanville and other mining sites , WiFi is simply not enough to power communications systems across vast areas –
let alone innovative , connected technology that will transform these industries for the better . This is why we are champions for LTE technology , not just above ground , but below ground as well . Leaky feeder systems - essentially two-way radios - and WiFi are currently the norm for mining sites . There are emerging technologies such as fluid mesh networks , but when it comes down to it , there ’ s no comparison to the potential LTE offers . In our pilots , LTE has shown higher bandwidth , speeds , and quality as well as lower latency ( delays in data transfer ) in our mine sites . While WiFi could theoretically meet our basic requirements for connectivity , the costs and hardware needs are considerably higher . One of LTE ’ s core benefits is that it provides wireless coverage over large areas with little equipment infrastructure . LTE also provides the foundation for the future of wireless communications – 5G . Though not currently available in our potash mine locations , we will be able to move from LTE to 5G with minimal cost or change to infrastructure .”
He commented on technology application with LTE : " With enhanced coverage through LTE , we can access better quality video that makes monitoring for safety and security easier , plus allows us to take advantage of current or new safety apps , for things like check-ins , emergency warnings and alerts . With LTE as the backbone , the art of the possible truly opens up . LTE gives us the opportunity to have a single pane view of our people , equipment , work and safety hazards – at less cost . Imagine never having a person out of communication range and knowing in real-time when we have an equipment or system issue . That is the mine of the future , and the next generation of our potash operations . With more coverage for IoT sensors , apps , cameras and connected devices in the field , our team can also be more efficient and productive , ultimately improving our tonnage output and our cost per tonne . At the end of the day , that means getting fertiliser to farms – and food to tables – safely and more efficiently ."
90 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2021