MINE LIGHTING
a system to its limits. You can cut costs on a few things, but lighting isn’ t one of them. Too often, operations install cheap LED strips meant for warehouses or decorative use. They work at first, but a few months underground tell a different story- cracked outer covering, fading light, and water getting where it shouldn’ t. Suddenly, you’ re pulling staff off production to replace fittings in tight, hot, or dangerous spaces. That’ s not just inconvenient, it’ s expensive and unsafe.”
Smith says quality LED strip lighting systems are built to take that kind of punishment. Premium designs use thicker copper tracks, proper heat management, and IP68-rated sealing to handle shock, vibration, and water ingress.“ Systems like HALO, which was developed specifically for mining back in 2010 and was engineered from the ground up for reliability. The goal was simply to provide consistent, shadowfree light where it matters most. Uniform illumination makes a huge difference. When your tunnels, conveyors, or haulage roads are evenly lit, you see hazards sooner and fatigue less. It’ s the kind of improvement you only notice once you’ ve experienced both sides- the before and the after.”
Premium lighting costs more upfront but once you factor in replacements, downtime, and callouts, Smith argues that the difference quickly disappears.“ In one operation, swapping out sodium-vapour fixtures for HALO LED strips cut energy use by around 65 % and halved maintenance work. Less time on ladders means fewer safety risks and more focus on production.
Quality HALO LED strip lighting systems it says are built to take underground mining punishment
The difference between a purpose-built industrial system and a repurposed consumer product isn’ t just in lumens, it’ s in reliability and total cost of ownership. A welldesigned LED system can last more than 50,000 hours while keeping its light quality and performance steady.”
Mining companies are also under more pressure than ever to improve safety and meet sustainability targets.“ Well-engineered LED systems help with both. They use less energy, last longer, and generate far less waste from failed fittings. Every light that stays in service longer is one less trip to the landfill and one more shift where everything just works as it should.”
He concludes:“ Mining is tough on everything, and it exposes weakness fast. Cheap lighting might look fine for a while, but when it fails, it usually does so at the worst times. Durable, purpose-built LED systems like HALO prove their worth every day. In environments where people work long hours under harsh conditions, good lighting isn’ t a luxury- it’ s part of the safety system because when your lighting holds up, your operation runs smoother, your people stay safe, and the entire site just works better.”
Phoenix Lighting – remote drivers a game changer for mining
Innovations in mine site lighting are not restricted to the lights themselves. Phoenix Lighting recently launched the Command Flood Remote Driver Series, featuring what is described as a game-changing remote driver solution for rugged LED lighting that the company says maximises worker safety, longevity, and efficiency.
Built on the trusted, US-designed and manufactured Command Flood Series, this innovative driver option along with DC-powered led modules simplifies mine lighting projects while delivering exceptional results. Various module options offer high performance of up to 48,000 lumens for bright, energy-saving illumination.
The company told IM:“ Remote-mounted drivers separate the power electronics from the fixture head. This design keeps sensitive components away from the harsh vibrations, extreme temperatures, dust, and debris common on large mining machinery- ensuring reliable illumination for night operations on draglines and shovels.”
Steve Paulus, Director of Marketing at Phoenix Lighting added that the benefits for considering remote drivers on mining equipment include easy driver accessibility and maintenance, lowering the total cost of ownership. Technicians can service drivers at ground level or in accessible areas, so there is no need for boom climbs or equipment shutdowns.
In addition, mounting the driver in climate-controlled rooms increased overall life expectancy of the driver. Drivers mounted remotely allow for multiple LED modules to run off of a single driver, further reducing the costs. It also means reduced fixture maintenance at high heights- mitigating safety risks and unexpected equipment downtime. Dimming and scene control capabilities make for easy light controllability.
Paulus concluded:“ Remote drivers in mining mean fewer high-altitude repairs, cutting fall hazards and allowing quicker light restoration to maintain safe visibility. By relocating the driver to a protected area, we allow for easy accessibility minimising operational downtime.”
Benefits of remote mine lighting drivers on mining equipment include easy driver accessibility and maintenance, lowering the TCO
38 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025