MINE LIGHTING
Lighting the load
Nordic Lights has recently published its ' Essential Guide to Mining Lighting '
Lighting in mining continues to see innovation – aimed at improving the working environment for operators and other workers , but in doing so also increasing efficiency during night operations as well as in challenging weather , reports Paul Moore
This year , the mine lighting specialists were out in force at MINExpo 2024 , held September 24-26 in Las Vegas , with smart lighting solutions and safety lighting options to the forefront . Jakobstad , Finland-headquartered Nordic Lights was one of those present . Its lineup included its controllable lighting prototype , where the operator can control several work lights simultaneously and at the same time customise the illumination . The system has already been tested at the First Quantum-owned underground Pyhäsalmi test mine in Finland together with Normet Group with the light system deployed on their Scamec LC Thor scaler .
Nordic Lights states on this project : “ The operators need to have a constant , really good visibility of the rock surface so they can detect the loose rocks there . And if there are reflections and shade , it might make their work not so easy . When they can adjust the light and colour temperature , they can also adjust the lights to be always suitable for that specific condition , and then get really good visibility – and make work much more ergonomic while also increasing the performance of the scaling work . So you get optimised lighting , safety and efficiency .”
The company also highlighted its specialised glass-lens mining versions of Scorpius PRO and Scorpius XTR Series , which were also featured in the company ’ s all new publication only recently released called ‘ The Essential Guide to Mining Lighting .’ The XTR Series lights feature excellent colour rendering and optimal colour temperature . Add service lights from the PRO Series for glarefree access to the vehicle .
The company states : “ Unplanned downtime is the most costly thing that can happen in a mine . For lights with a high lumen output , choose a glass lens to avoid downtime due to melting lens issues . In mining , there is usually little to no time for washing work lights mounted on the vehicles , as they are constantly in use on sites operational 24 / 7 . Over time , dirt accumulates on the lens of the work light , forming a layer . Sooner or later , the layer of dirt becomes so thick that no light or heat from the LED chips can escape through the plastic lens , and the lens itself melts .”
Nordic Lights adds : “ The user usually notices the melted lens during maintenance checks , when they are servicing the vehicle and its equipment . If the lens is melted completely through , the light will also let in moisture , damaging the LED chips and circuit board , making the light unusable . Our tempered glass lenses solve these problems by being extremely resistant to heat , chemicals , and UV light . When the time comes , they can also be cleaned with confidence .”
Also discussed in the document is colour temperature , or CCT for short , which defines the color appearance of light and is measured in Kelvin ( K ). It tells you whether the light is warm ( yellow / red ) or cold ( blue ). “ A burning candle has
a colour temperature of about 1,800K ( very warm ), while a clear blue sky can be up to 10,000K ( very cold ). CCT impacts how bright a light is perceived when looked at straight on , but it is not a measurement of brightness . Our lights for mining max out at 5,700 Kelvin , making them an ideal ‘ cool ’ CCT , like working in daylight . This colour temperature energises operators , reduces eye strain and general fatigue , and keeps personnel alert for longer periods of time , increasing efficiency . Overly cold light ( blue light ) strains the eyes while extremely warm light ( red light ) makes operators tired since it increases melatonin production in the central nervous system . Since both can lead to accidents , it is important to strike the right balance in colour temperature .”
CRI , or Colour Rendering Index , measures a light ’ s ability to reproduce colors of objects compared to sunlight . “ CRI is measured between 0 and 100 , with higher values meaning more accurate colour rendering . We make lights with a minimum CRI of 80 . For comparison , the CRI of the sun is 100 . A high CRI light helps operators identify the correct materials and their respective colour differences on the mining site . Operators will avoid accidents caused by inconsistent CRI , and thus reduce downtime and redoing of the same tasks . A high CRI light setup helps operators make the right decisions at critical moments .”
Also crucial is determining the light pattern fit for a mining vehicle , where it is important to consider the surrounding circumstances . “ Are you working in an underground mine , or paving the way for a large-scale mining project ? Do you need to light up long distances , or are you looking for excellent near-field illumination ? In any case , you will need to choose a suitable pattern for your light . How a light pattern looks in the field depends on how and where you install the light . We present the light patterns of our work lights with the light tilted at a -17 ° angle at
The Nordic Lights controllable lighting system has been tested together with Normet Group and their Scamec LC Thor scaler
28 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2024