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MINE NETWORKS_proof 21/08/2018 12:29 Page 1
MINE NETWORKS
No point of failure
Nokia says all the top mining houses are now
looking at LTE, it is just a matter of time given
the move to autonomous and remote
operations
Some argue that the best solution is to
deploy LTE but as a hybrid, retaining WiFi for
non mission critical comms. White told IM: “LTE
g promises some significant improvement over
traditional Wi-Fi networks, particularly in the
area of predictability. The ability to limit
possibilities of interference through licensed
spectrum provides much of this predictability,
but the underlying communication protocol also
provides improvements over WiFi in this area.
One of the biggest challenges with LTE,
however, is in spectrum. In remote regions of
As mines go digital and robotised, communication Australia, it is possible to acquire private LTE
networks are having to handle vast quantities of data and spectrum licenses to operate. However, in North
analytics meaning new solutions are needed to ensure America particularly, all spectrum set aside for
connectivity is never lost, reports Paul Moore LTE is owned by the LTE service providers who
have a very different consumer based model for
commercialising that spectrum, that typically
rends in the networks market include access was a big problem for LTE, but private does not lend itself well to the miner's needs.”
T companies offering “network agnostic”
options and increasing influence of
network integrators that put together the
LTE solutions are now being offered by the
major players, and crucially, the hardware
involved in LTE has become smaller and much
If a customer can obtain a license for a chunk
of LTE spectrum (the single largest challenge to
deploying LTE), it is typically a rather small
components in a solution for the mine moving less costly. In contrast to WiFi, LTE is based on a channel, which limits the throughput available
with the times to offer the latest technology; tightly scheduled and network-supervised air over the LTE network. A hybrid solution helps
and of course increasing network demands interface that has better spectrum efficiency and solve this problem. Using LTE for the
being created by autonomous equipment and more control over the quality of service offered communications that truly require the higher
the demand for real time machine analytics and to application device traffic. Nokia, Ericsson and levels of Quality of Service, while using another
machine health monitoring. Huawei are the big providers, but as stated, solution, such as standards based WiFi, a client
3D-P VP CTO Ron White told IM: “Full integrators are taking their technology and meshing based solution, as well as a true
autonomy is a challenge that only the largest of implementing it for the mine’s customised distribution layer network, allows the network
miners are attacking today. However, most needs in many cases. LTE started in Australia in to provide the best of both worlds. The
mines are looking into some level of autonomy, mining through a Nokia LTE network and Cisco distribution layer can be used to connect fixed
typically starting with a simpler solution like core (the LTE was then Alcatel-Lucent before or nomadic sites, camera's, etc. WiFi access can
remote control for drills or dozers. In any Nokia acquired it) providing a 4G solution for be used for non-autonomous mobile systems,
autonomy situation, however, the wireless Rio Tinto, which is still operating but LTE is now freeing up all available bandwidth on the LTE
network is critical to success. The latest wireless being looked at by most of the big mining network for the critical autonomous
solutions offer greater bandwidth, faster houses. Nokia is currently installing another communication.”
roaming, and in some cases, the ability to major LTE network in Chile for a major copper A hybrid solution also is note limited to WiFi
provide some protection for the network from mine. And the first underground solution was as Nokia can offer solutions with a lightly
interference, through licensed spectrum. recently delivered by Ericsson and Ambra licensed spectrum like CBRS, maintaining a pure
Predictability becomes one of the largest Solutions at Agnico Eagle LaRonde gold mine in LTE solution using carrier aggregation to provide
requirements in these autonomy ready Canada. enough bandwidth.
networks. Real-time analytics and safety are two Also, Ambra Solutions argues on the
other significant drivers of wireless network spectrum issue: “The LTE technology offers one
improvements, however, to a lesser degree than of the best ratio of bits/hertz. It means that with
autonomy as many of today's networks can a small carrier, we can achieve a high
handle these applications, when the network is bandwidth. For example, the new 64x64
properly designed and maintained.” Massive MIMO and beamforming technologies
WiFi was never designed for the harsh allow the transfer of over 430 Mbps down and
conditions of open pits and underground mines, 128 Mbps up per sector on a single 10 Mhz
so is now struggling to keep pace. This is where carrier.
LTE networks are coming in. LTE is based on IP, 3D-P argues that in the open pit world, and
which allows users to host all communications particularly in North America, the driver for LTE
on a single LTE and a fixed IP/Multiprotocol has been full autonomy. “Those mines who are
Label Switching (IP/MPLS) network, resulting in Miners can integrate multiple not moving to full autonomy within the next five
applications directly on one 3D-P Intelligent
substantial design, management and Endpoint to reduce on-board technology clutter years can be well served by other solutions
maintenance savings. Previously spectrum and manage network access and utilisation today, without the additional challenges like
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MINE NETWORKS_proof 21/08/2018 12:29 Page 2
MINE NETWORKS
decisions easier. A powerful single network also
helps close the gap between operations and IT.
We like to call it ‘beyond connectivity.’ Nokia’s
mine of the future vision is a roadmap linked to
connectivity but that evolves into other
elements beyond just connectivity itself.” Other
major industries already use LTE and have done
for years, and this is helping drive growth in
mining as well, as part of a growing LTE
ecosystem.
Todays solutions moving from 4G to 5G need
a high bandwidth network, with a first level
connecting all the IoT devices at a pit scale,
where WiFi is starting to really struggle. Nokia
The Ambra/Ericsson LTE solution at LaRonde is control operation of mining machinery, dispatch private LTE can either replace WiFi or
now a benchmark for future deep mining LTE systems, emergency notification systems, complement it in a hybrid solution where the
access control systems, automated collection of LTE handles mission critical applications with
spectrum availability” that LTE creates.” 3D-P data, ventilation fan monitoring and gas low latency and high quality of service. This
Intelligent Endpoints (IEP's) were deployed on detection systems. might include offices, accommodation and
some of the first LTE deployments in mining, as In every LTE network Ambra is designing, all catering areas in the mine that don’t need to
a rugged client for the LTE network. the LTE components are fully redundant and use LTE. Though in these cases an LTE small cell
deployed in a high-availability mode. Like the can create a type of local WiFi bubble.
LTE deployed at LaRonde big LTE carriers, the mining customer cannot Laguna told IM that most of the top 40
Ericsson and Ambra Solutions have recently afford downtime and a single point of failure. miners in the world are now actively looking at
worked together to deliver Canada’s deepest LTE due the fact they are pursuing elements of
underground LTE network for the Agnico Eagle Nokia on the LTE future automation and teleremote operation and the
mining site, LaRonde in Abitibi, Quebec. Located IM spoke to Jaime Laguna, Nokia Global more automated the site, the more applicable
3 km below the surface, the LTE network will Program Sales Leader for Mining. He had this to and needed it is. Safety is a big topic as well as
provide data and voice mobility services across say: “We are a global telecoms company and for asset tracking and video surveillance. Greenfield
the site and enable several Internet of Things mining we had to look at how our technology mines are getting private LTE from the outset,
(IoT) use cases to improve safety and mining could help them overcome their challenges. while at brownfield sites, they are still looking
operations. They told us they needed to optimise at technology revamps, many starting with
LTE cellular networks can provide data and productivity but also needed to be safe as well higher precision and autonomous drilling.
voice mobility services over low frequency as environmentally sustainable.” Autonomous retrofitting is big business now too
bands that allow a better propagation than any Laguna agreed on the major driver for mining but needs the power of an LTE network.
other available technology, delivering faster, networks today being automation, offering Nokia told IM that it is working with top
more advanced wireless technology. The reliability in a network but also connecting suppliers of fleet management systems and
network in LaRonde is utilising band 5 at 850 many more devices at the same time. But he autonomous truck manufacturers to ensure the
MHz. Ambra is the only Canadian operator also referred to the need for convergence – interoperability of the application, the LTE
deploying private LTE networks in underground consolidating different network types into one, network and machine hardware.
mines. such as combining voice and data and removing As well as the Chile LTE installation, Nokia
The solution is based on the latest Ericsson legacy systems. Nokia technology can provide has proof of concept studies underway at sites
Radio System portfolio of basebands and radio this offering operational simplicity. “We looked in Asia and Australia including installing smaller
units, software upgradable to provide Massive at how to guarantee seamless network scale LTE networks to prove results, especially
IoT capabilities for sensor-based applications evolution and remove the complexity of multiple where a mining customer is trialling
and support 5G New Radio (NR) capability. networks in one mine. LTE is a powerful single autonomous trucks. Even the major equipment
Eric L’Heureux, CEO, Ambra Solutions, says: network to which more services can be added, OEM test mines are trialling LTE to help them
“The LTE technology is the most cost effective allowing existing communications networks to understand its potential. In Canada Nokia is
and reliable solution to provide real-time naturally evolve into 5G. We can sometimes working with a major mining innovation centre
coverage to several kilometres of underground achieve this with the legacy products through on an underground LTE network; allowing
tunnels. A single LTE radio can cover up to 6 km software changes rather than hardware customers to conduct visits to see its
of tunnel, whereas it would take over 60 active changes.” Nokia also says it is the only LTE performance.
Wi-Fi access points to cover the same area.” manufacturer that is committed to deliver an In terms of what LTE requires, it has a control
LTE networks open a new suite of capabilities end to end solution including integration with base known as a microcore, effectively the core
and possibilities to cost effectively enable smart third parties. of the network containing all the information on
mining-related tasks for open pits or Laguna says that Nokia’s offering and network users. Beyond this depending on
underground mines. Unlike other options, LTE technology allows it offer pit to port solutions requirements you have macrocells, small cells
networks allow the use of IoT sensors and as well as both open pit and underground LTE. and mini macros (intermediate). But the ratio
devices to monitor, operate, and collect data “We understand the need for mission critical when compared to WiFi nodes can be 10 times
throughout the mining site, for example related mining operations, where real time data back to less. Rio Tinto replaced 40 nodes with five LTE
to air quality monitoring. This includes remote an ROC makes up to the minute production cells. In an average mine one macrocell can
16 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2018
MINE NETWORKS
cover the whole mine, maybe with one small cell
in the base of the pit. The power transmission of
the radio equipment is also far better, at 40-60W,
whereas WiFi is limited to 250W.
Ambra’s LTE journey
Ambra Solutions in Canada is now one of the
leading integrators for LTE solutions in mining, as
detailed in the recent LaRonde project. The
telecoms company started 12 years ago
deploying mesh WiFi but has always been
hardware agnostic. Uniquely, and what has
boosted its growth in the LTE space, is that it is
now both an integrator and a carrier, having
invested in its own spectrum in Canada. Eric
L’Hereux told IM: “We deployed a lot of WiFi
mesh in the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands, which works
fine for the existing FMS and dispatch systems. configures everything to the mine’s need before Newtrax solutions leverage any existing UG
But with autonomous equipment it really is shipping the solutions as a kit ready for network infrastructure and enhance network
connectivity at the face with the MineHop™
impossible to create a reliable network with WiFi deployment, which most of the big miners can do
battery-powered wireless multihop mesh
as it was not designed for outdoor use where themselves having their own telecoms network
there are numerous obstructions. Wireless mesh departments. Ambra is also working with OEMs
networks do offer a solution but they are like Sandvik and Caterpillar to help them migrate jumbos and production drills never saw real-time
restricted the 802.11 technology and require their equipment to LTE via a kit. network access, increasingly mines want to know
many more radio nodes and trailers to power He concludes: “We are seeing the largest how they are working in real time, while semi
them, while using proprietary algorithms. WiFi mines go to LTE first as they are most likely to be and fully autonomous machines are completely
starts losing bandwidth connectivity at -85dB, testing autonomy and have the largest mine network reliant. The lack of real-time access to
whereas LTE goes down to -115dB, a massive areas to cover. And yes it is mainly open pit for drilling machine data has actually begun to
difference; meaning LTE antennas can listen to now. But underground, LTE is also better as the become a bottleneck in otherwise digitally
really small frequencies while using far less low frequencies work better in tunnels – a single advanced operations. Using MineHop™, even
infrastructure. For an effective open pit LTE LTE access point replaces 60-80 WiFi access though it has a low bandwidth to conserve
network you can use one antenna/cell either side points. Underground WiFi cost is about C$70- power, allows a subset of the most crucial and
of the pit and cover more than 7 km. These 75/metre compared to LTE at C$30-35 /per important production and availability data to be
connect to the core, which is a computer than metre. WiFi needs optic fibre and more power, accessed in real time. This type of information
acts like a router interface connecting the while for LTE one cell in a centralised location per might include, if the drill is working or not, its
antennas and the network. LTE is also highly level is often enough. LTE is also easy to install fuel levels if it is a diesel machine, is it drilling or
secure, using SIM cards to authenticate users. It and deploy and can be done by non IT bolting. The customer can decide the data they
is also the only solution that provides end of end professionals. Five years ago LTE cores were want to see.
quality of service. While wireless mesh slows expensive and radio units large. Today this has Newtrax solutions leverage any existing
down with more users, LTE devices all have their all changed and as in open pit all the network infrastructure and enhance network
own timeslot to talk meaning synchronised underground miners are looking at it. We have connectivity with the MineHop™ battery-
constant latency.” had numerous delegations visit LaRonde to see powered wireless multihop mesh network and
L’Hereux says that most big open pits are still what has been achieved there.” MineProx™ ad hoc peer-to-peer network.
using WiFi but are migrating to LTE to benefit Purpose-built to fill the gaps in existing
from not having to relocate trailers, as well as Newtrax and underground connectivity communications systems in underground mines,
having a licenced band and top Q0S. “LTE can Newtrax is primarily an underground specialist, these unique network extensions can cost-
connect anything – 5G technology and multiple and told IM it also definitely sees a shift in effectively cover all parts of the mining process,
IoT sensors and push to talk; and we see it attitudes towards underground networking including the face, for real-time identification of
dominating mining in the near term.” Ambra is an technology. Mines are now struggling to access productivity bottlenecks and early warnings of
integrator, using its own spectrum it takes Nokia the data they need underground in a timely safety, health and environmental hazards.
and Ericsson technology/cores and tests and fashion. While traditionally, the development But equally, Newtrax is now positioned as
The world leader
in private
LTE networks
sales@ambra.co
SEPTEMBER 2018 | International Mining 17
MINE NETWORKS_proof 21/08/2018 12:29 Page 4
MINE NETWORKS
“network-agnostic" and can integrate with and The Rajant LX5 is a rugged, wireless
device that forms a mesh network
extend any network a mine chooses to when used in conjunction with other
implement, whether that be leaky feeder, WiFi or BreadCrumb systems
LTE, all of which are in the mix in today’s
underground market. To fill the gaps of wireless infrastructure.
connectivity underground, Newtrax systems’ 900 Hundreds can be quickly
MHz frequency hopping spread spectrum RF linked, self-configuring as
links provide an omnidirectional range up to 500 part of a fully mobile, high
m which can be extended to more than 1 km with bandwidth network.
directional antennas. There are no wires for Kinetic Mesh® networks utilise Rajant’s
power or communication therefore there is no patented peer-to-peer InstaMesh networking
risk of them being damaged by mining activity. technology to perform real-time evaluation and along with an increasing focus on safety, which
The battery-powered wireless nodes are usually direct traffic via the fastest pathways between includes keeping people safe but also avoiding
hung from the drift roof for easy installation and any wired, wireless, or in-motion points. safety related stoppages. Technology and
can be spaced at 100 m or more for many InstaMesh is able to dynamically optimise digitalisation are helping take people out of the
kilometres depending on the customer data performance as network characteristics change, equation and all the big miners are looking at
needs. Being battery powered means not being whether nodes are added or subtracted, forms of digital operations, particularly trying to
dependent on wired power, and the latest frequencies are opened or blocked, or the assets achieve 100% guaranteed connectivity to data.
batteries mean very long life. The Newtrax it connects are moved over large areas. When a There has been a huge increase in personnel
Proximity Detection System however uses the user changes, moves, or disables a device in the tracking system installation as well as far more
MineProx™ ad hoc peer-to-peer network created network, that change only needs to be managed video surveillance both above and below ground.
by the software embedded in miner’s cap lamps, locally, not propagated throughout the network. This all means much more pressure on mine
so that when they get close to a machine in the As a completely distributed protocol, networks.” Mason says Rajant now actively
working area, the data can be transferred to the InstaMesh® responds rapidly to network works against a product roadmap that assists
network. MineHop™ nodes can also go on topology changes to ensure robust fault miners on their journey to more remotely
machines themselves. The technology is machine tolerance, high throughput and low latency. operated, digitised and autonomous operations.
OEM agnostic, meaning data from say drills from Unlike traditional meshing technologies, which From Rajant’s point of view this means that a
two or more OEMs can be unified and delivered rely on a single stationery controller node to mission critical network with no point of failure is
in the same way to the mine management. This is manage decisions across the network, every critical. Rajant’s solution is not dependent on
useful in itself in making it more easy to compare node in a Kinetic Mesh® network can act WiFi, its wireless mesh is a multiple radio node
different OEM machine performance. Finally as independently. The InstaMesh protocol to multiple radio node design. Mines can
MineHop™ is extending an existing network, seamlessly connects fixed, wireless, and mobile maintain multiple routes to connectivity in a way
Newtrax works with the network providers and nodes together and will dynamically redirect that WiFi cannot. Rajant argues that legacy WiFi
integrators, to ensure a full solution for the traffic between the next best available points if mesh and even LTE in the mining area still have
customer. any one peer is compromised or obstructed. to communicate with a central connector/switch
Patrice Corneau, Newtrax Product Owner, told This self-healing capability not only provides which can become a point of failure, whereas it is
IM: “Mine operators don’t have WiFi right up to for no single point of failure, but enables network running a multi frequency network with no point
the working area as electricians and technicians nodes to seamlessly switch between available of failure, while LTE uses much fewer nodes in an
have not had time to implement it. MineHop™ is radio frequencies based on best-path analysis at environment with many potential obstructions to
easy to deploy and provides quick connectivity to the node level. signals. Rajant provides a mine area system, that
working areas, crucial in today’s market where “InstaMesh® always prefers the fastest path to then links to whatever onward connectivity is in
operators want real time analytics and are also any destination, based on the state of the place, but Rajant still believes it is unequalled for
operating teleremote and increasingly network at the time at which each packet needs reliability in the defined InstaMesh® network.
autonomous equipment. To date our system is to be transmitted. Each node learns and Rajant technology is offered to the mining
working in over 85 hard rock mines globally constantly reevaluates the best link to use for market directly but also through integrators such
across Canada and the US, Chile, Brazil, each destination in real time by analysing every as 3D-P who incorporate the Rajant hardware
Australia, Russia and elsewhere.” Recent packet flowing through it. This approach allows and software into their overall customer solution,
contract awards include with Gold Fields. A the Kinetic Mesh® network to make extremely often with enhanced functionality and
Newtrax Personnel and Equipment Tracking fast decisions and react immediately to changing ruggedised housings. Finally, the company is
solution, running on the patented MineHop™ network conditions, without consuming conducting extensive trials of InstaMesh®
network, will be deployed on all of the St Ives excessive bandwidth for overhead messages.” underground both with mines themselves and
Invincible mine underground equipment, and Finally, while InstaMesh® leverages a equipment OEMs; all part of the same drive for
used by all underground miners. proprietary algorithm, it is fully compatible with more efficiency that has been seen in surface
802.11 standards. The protocol sends packages mining.
Rajant – optimised wireless mesh over Layer 2. If your voice, video, and data Rajant says it recently received some insightful
Rajant Corporation is well known in the industry communications can be sent over Ethernet, it can feedback from a customer in South America who
for its wireless mesh networks, used at many be sent over the Kinetic Mesh® network. decided to switch to LTE last year for multiple
large open pit mines. High functionality, easy-to- Chris Mason, Rajant Director of Sales for technologies they use in the pit. Rajant believes
install BreadCrumb® nodes work in concert with Europe, Middle East, and Africa told IM: “We are this customer’s inputs are particularly relevant
InstaMesh® to enable voice, video and data seeing consistent pressure on mine efficiencies especially as they see more mines in Peru and
communications that operate over a common and a desire to spend less dollars per tonne Brazil that are choosing LTE yet have not had a
18 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2018
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MINE NETWORKS_proof 21/08/2018 12:29 Page 5
MINE NETWORKS
single successful installation. Their key points the mine, ensuring they will get the performance, laid out in the MINER Act passed in 2006. This
were the following: “Investments in LTE in Latin maintainability, and scalability they require.” led to the development of the ACCOLADE®
America are being analysed and scrutinised On the continuing role for mesh technology, wireless miner mesh radio system and later the
carefully resulting in further delays in these Ron White told IM: “There is absolutely a place development of SENTINEL™, which is an ad-hoc
investments due to two primary factors – low for client meshing solutions such as Rajant's wireless digital network for communications and
bandwidth and hidden costs. For example, for Kinetic Mesh even when a customer decides LTE tracking but which was designed and optimised
every 20 MHz of spectrum that is obtained, the is the right choice for their mobile fleet. When for underground coal mines. Today, IWT argues
estimated traffic for a mining topology with the 3D-P designs networks that will utilise a client that SENTINEL continues to outperform and has
associated geography is between 40 and 80 meshing solution, the customers’ requirements a lower cost of ownership than WiFi and leaky
Mbps of upload traffic. This fact alone are first taken into consideration. Many smaller feeder based systems. Key attributes are that it
demonstrates that LTE on its own cannot be the mines, with limited technology requirements are is relatively low in power usage but also low in
sole solution for mining companies but will be a able to take full advantage of a client meshing bandwidth, which means in terms of the main
component of an overall mine-wide connectivity solution, with very limited infrastructure goal of one network for voice/texting and
solution. In all likelihood, there will be two or deployed. Other customers may require nearly continuous tracking of people it offers good
possibly three networks running in parallel. 100% coverage and a high bandwidth redundancy. The IWT solution differs from wired
Second is the cost factor and we know how requirement. For these customers, our designs solutions in that all of the tracking and comms
significant that is for all mines who feel the are always a multi-layered (hybrid) network, data is handled (transmitted) wirelessly. The IWT
productivity pressure to deliver more with less which allows us to keep the traffic on the mobile mesh nodes, which act like repeaters and are
every day. In this same example, the initial cost links dedicated for mobile devices, and other installed in the escapeways, can run on AC lines
for this LTE investment for a fleet of 100 is $3.5 traffic to take advantage of solutions that are with battery backup to allow the system to
million to $4.5 million plus an annual cost of more appropriate to that traffic type. As far as remain functional if main power is lost, or can be
$400,000-500,000 in support service. These that client meshing layer goes though, the battery-powered. Infrastructure for the working
networks are not only mission critical and overall network design is focused on one-hop section is battery-powered. The use of portable,
complex to support and with carrier class connectivity (client to infrastructure), even when battery powered devices also means the system
equipment that requires specific services to client meshing is available. In other words, the can easily keep pace with even a rapidly
ensure the guarantee. There are technical network is designed in such a way that the advancing mine development area.
aspects of the infrastructure required for this mobile fleet will be able to communicate directly SENTINEL is a single network that provides
network which contribute to the additional costs to infrastructure, rather than relying on meshing voice communications, texting, and tracking
making it even more expensive resulting in the through neighbouring clients to find the network.” using wireless communications but can also
need to build out an MPLS type network over the He adds: “Deploying a client meshing solution handle data for tasks such as longwall moves,
LTE access network. And with growing demands in this manner may seem counter intuitive, critical machine health data, environmental data
for surveillance and remote monitoring on the although in the end, it provides extremely high and mine rescue. And while underground coal
rise, a complete LTE network with even six reliability and performance, while solving a few remains a major part of the IWT business, it has
thermal video cameras that each consume 14 of the challenges typical wireless networks have now taken this model into salt, trona and
Mbps becomes too much of an investment. in the mobile open pit environment. For example, limestone mines as well as the tunnelling
However, today LTE is gaining strength and by a few of these challenges include communication market, which do not require an IS solution but
2020-2022 will be in most of the mining around shovels, particularly in drop cuts, and in in mine design operate in a similar way to coal.
companies; but not as a sole connectivity deploying nomadic (typically solar trailer) However, they will tend to employ many fewer
solution but running in parallel with other repeaters in an area that can cover this section of miners, so not as many radios are needed. Many
networks and segmenting the services.” the pit, without the frequent moves required by large metallic hard rock mines have optic fibre
blasting. Client meshing allows the solar trailer to extensively in the mine, and some of the advanced
3D-P and mine customised solutions be placed in an area that will limit the requirement coal longwalls do as well – these mines send a lot
3D-P is a radio agnostic systems integrator and to frequently relocate it, and also allows the of machine data directly via fibre. But the majority
focuses on choosing the appropriate technology equipment working around the shovel, which of coal mines using room and pillar and other
for its customers through the following lenses. would often be blocked from connectivity by the methods many have limited underground
First understand the challenges of the shovel itself or from the terrain in a drop cut area, networking infrastructure, so an IWT solution
environment, including ruggedisation to mesh through the shovel, or other queueing offers them a lower cost but just as effective
requirements, the effects of mobility and the trucks, to establish connectivity. It is a critical piece option. The same is true of many smaller metallic
mining environment on RF requirements, etc. of the puzzle that raises overall network mines. And a number of mid-tier gold mines have
Second, understand the requirements of the connectivity and performance to the highest level.” poor wired networks for the last mile before the
application. “Mining applications are significantly working face. These customer challenges have led
different beasts as compared to typical IWT Wireless – adapting to the IWT into new markets like Mexico both for its coal
applications used in office or consumer customer need and metallic mining industries. IWT Vice President
environments. The communication requirements As a company, Virginia-based Innovative Wireless Phil Carrier tells IM: “A lot of our time is spent
for these applications demand that the network Technologies (IWT) is over 20 years old now, and trying to understand each customer’s use case –
be designed differently than those networks that over its history has offered all kinds of wireless what data, tracking and services are they trying to
are designed for those more typical applications. solutions to industrial customers, from Bluetooth get where in the mine.”
These design requirements change depending on to private mobile radio options. This diversity of To enable handling of more machine data, IWT
not only the applications the mine will utilise, but experience saw the company enter the mining says its new HDRMesh™ solves many of the data
also the technology chosen. With this information business in 2007, primarily to address the retrieval issues facing underground operations
we then choose the appropriate technology for requirements for IS comms and tracking systems today. “Traditional Wi-Fi-based solutions do not
20 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2018
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MINE NETWORKS
reliably transmit in non-line-of-sight conditions, latency and jitter so that autonomous vehicles
and lack the range for continuous coverage. can be safely operated underground. The
Traditional wired data solutions are difficult to network can also be installed and maintained by
maintain, difficult to advance and often do not any internal tradesperson, eliminating the need
survive the mining process.” IWT’s data solution for costly outside fibre-optic contractors, an
is composed of a series of rugged High Data Rate internal specialist, or expensive tools. The
(HDR) wireless nodes that ‘hop’ data from mine network is fully Cisco compliant so that the client
equipment to the mine’s fibre backbone. can use all their existing software tools to
Information critical for the mine’s productivity and support it from surface or even remotely in
safety is communicated in real-time to decision another city or country. Maestro expects to have
makers at the surface. Each node contains IWT’s 50 installations by the end of 2018.
proprietary high data rate mesh component and a
Wi-Fi Client Access Point. Superior range allows Maestro recently introduced Plexus Powernet, Matrix and N-Connex
which uses copper coaxial cable to get data
for fewer nodes for a cost efficient system. Last year, Matrix Design Group, LLC announced a
from the mine face to surface faster
Finally, legislative rulings over the last few distribution partnership agreement with
years have not specifically addressed the critical. Maestro says it has come up with a Northern Light Technologies (NLT) for distribution
communication capability of mine rescue solution that borrows from an old method of and service of the N-Connex system. Matrix N-
practices. Teams still face the challenge of delivering TV channels and the Internet to the Connex is an award-winning networking system
communicating among themselves in apparatus home: a copper coaxial cable network. As designed specifically for harsh environments,
areas and by relaying messages through the outlined in March 2018 in Northern Ontario integrating voice and high-speed data
briefing officer to/from a command centre. This Business: “Currently, modern mines use fibre- communications, asset and personnel tracking,
process of relaying information from the team to optic communication networks underground for control and automation, video surveillance,
the fresh air base and then to the command voice, data, video and autonomous vehicle condition monitoring and other solutions into a
centre and back again is prone to errors. With applications. The fibre cable is fragile and prone single modular, Wi-Fi and Ethernet based
IWT’s patented mesh network communication to breakage from blast concussion and damage platform. The network is a simple, high-speed
technology, the SENTINEL system provides a from mobile equipment. Fibre splicing and network suitable for underground metal/non-
solution to this unmet need by connecting termination is very delicate and requires an ultra- metal mines, tunnels, prep-plants and other
rescuers tying in and eliminating or reducing the clean environment and expensive equipment. In heavy industries. “N-Connex is fast. It delivers
need to relay messages along the command short, getting fibre-optic networks in the ‘last gigabit data throughput speed. Run all the data
structure. IWT’s SENTINEL system inherently mile’ of the mine is difficult, time-consuming and through it you want – including teleops,
supports reverse RFID tracking. This capability expensive. The Plexus PowerNet is the latest autonomous vehicles and video. N-Connex is
provides the command centre personnel creation from Maestro that is being touted as yet easy to maintain. If a module fails, you can plug
locations inside the mine as the effort another way for mines to incorporate digital in a spare to minimise downtime and do this with
progresses. It affords the command group a real innovation. It is the world’s first coaxial gigabit existing personnel. N-Connex is easy to expand
time picture of the positions and status of network designed to be a simple and efficient and repair, and offers a lower total cost of
rescuers. And as working teams advance and means of getting data from the underground ownership to operators.” It is fully compatible
retreat when conditions become unsafe, leaving workings back to the command centre.” with 802.3 and 802.11 Ethernet and WiFi devices
permissible methane and CO monitors behind Data and power are combined on the same for voice, tracking, atmospheric monitoring
provides the command structure insight into cable, so the network powers the end point (AMS), data and video systems. Wi-Fi solutions
conditions rescuers will face upon return. This devices to eliminate additional infrastructure and include voice and data support for private calls,
information gives the command group more data reduce installation cost and time. The cable and PTT broadcasts, tablets, laptops and
to base decisions about re-entering the mine. fittings are already designed to withstand a lot of smartphones. Matrix is now the exclusive sales
The SENTINEL Mine Rescue system has the punishment. VP of Development and Technology, and service distributor of NLT N-Connex in the
intrinsic ability to provide the infrastructure for David Ballantyne, said while working on this US, Europe and Africa. IM
remote, permissible, battery powered sensing. problem he was looking at coaxial
The IWT system has now become the standard cables, which had been designed to
for US Federal and State mine rescue teams as transfer information over long
well as in many mining company mine rescue distances. Those same cables can
operations. Going forward, IWT says it is looking also withstand a wide range of
at how LTE is evolving, and it does see options temperature and weather conditions,
for example to incorporate LTE small cells making them ideal for mines, where
underground, to provide something similar to a blasting happens almost daily and
local 5G network, similar to a WiFi hotspot. temperatures become increasingly
hotter as they go deeper into the
Maestro launches Plexus Powernet mine. Mine operations can now add
Maestro Digital Mine has recently introduced devices on the same cable without
Plexus Powernet, which uses copper coaxial adding another separate power to
cable to get data from the mine face to surface each device. This approach also
faster. As mines rely more on real-time reduces capital costs by 40 to 70%.
Matrix N-Connex is an award-winning
information and advanced diagnostics, the need Along with high bandwidth requirements, it is
networking system designed specifically for
for pervasive connectivity has become more important for the network to have ultra low harsh environments
22 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2018
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