RTUs are designed to collect extensive data; the system is so flexible and easy to
implement that it can be used to perform a variety of functions and transfer a ...
Data Beyond Borders How Radio Frequency Networks Can Solve The Mine Site Communication Challenge
The Need for Real-Time Track & Trace in Food Processing
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Introduction Mine sites cover large areas of land and companies need to be aware of what is happening on every corner of their site. Unfortunately, the remote location of many mine sites can make communication across the site difficult and unpredictable, as many common communication technologies are less effective in remote locations or harsh environments. Loss of communication – whether between workers or machinery – can lead to loss of productivity, accidents and downtime. If the communications systems that fails relates to data collection and transfer, this failure also has the potential to negatively impact future decisionmaking processes or analysis.
Considering these risks, there has been a drive to take advantage of new technologies that can help facilitate improved connectivity. A McKinsey report, released in May 2013, entitled ‘Disruptive technologies: Advances that will transform life, business, and the global economy’, estimated that improved connectivity, through networks of lowcost sensors and actuators for data collection, monitoring, decision making and process optimization, has the potential to drive productivity across $36 trillion in operating costs for the mining and manufacturing industry .
“Weather monitoring helps mine sites to prepare for extreme weather and avoid temporary shutdowns.” LUFFT WS600
Mining Applications - Weather stations: Baseline data from weather stations can be used in the preparation of an environmental impact statement and various reports required by State EPA and government authorities concerned with the likely movement of dust and toxic gases, wet season run-off and the leaching of chemicals into waterways etc. Data from an initial weather audit (and subsequent, on-going weather monitoring through an automatic weather station) can also inform decisions which will impact directly on mine production, worker comfort and the wellbeing of neighbouring communities.
Weather monitoring can also help miners prepare for any incoming inclement weather, as heavy rainfall can create serious logistical issues and require temporary shutdown of the site if adequate precautions are not taken. Rainfall also affects wastewater management and monitoring of weather should also provide data that assists with environmental protection measures. New solid state weather stations like the LUFFT WS600 have no moving parts and provide reliable long term monitoring – using ultrasonic and radar for wind and rain measurements.
Mining Applications - Environmental / Waste water management Wastewater management is one of the more difficult aspects of mining, in part due to increasingly strict regulations resulting from increased public awareness about the potential environmental impact of poor wastewater management . This has led to the establishment of regular monitoring and reporting requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can “require monitoring and testing as a condition of an authorisation or environmental protection order” . Many mines have licenses in place that allow them to release wastewater under certain conditions, but monitoring is crucial to retaining these licenses because
any instance where the wastewater is found to be harmful will have serious consequences for the company. Before starting monitoring, most mines will be required to develop and submit a monitoring plan, which must be approved by the EPA. The methodology used for monitoring must be included in this plan, and it is unlikely to receive approval if the EPA does not believe the monitoring system will provide complete, precise and accurate results. This is why it is crucial that your monitoring system is reliable and providing you with consistent, accurate data.
“The EPA can require waste water monitoring and testing as a condition of an environmental protection order.” Cellvisor CV6000 3G Next G RTU
Introducing the Agile Radio System The Agile radio system is designed to easily form a private radio network for control and data collection, while the RTUs are designed to collect extensive data; the system is so flexible and easy to implement that it can be used to perform a variety of functions and transfer a range of data on a mine site.
RTUs are very cost effective and simple to implement. Module spacing can be up to 5km with 14 levels of “store and forward” giving a range of 90km depending on the topography, making the Agile system an ideal choice for large scale mine sites. The network can be transparent to other third party elements of the data or control system.
While high-speed/ high capacity broadband can require expensive digging, trenching and cable installation, it may be possible to achieve a lower bandwidth communication system at much lower installed cost. The Agile system
In cases where it is technically viable and cost effective, 3G/NextG GSM data RTUs can be integrated into the communications system.
Agile Base Station
Agile Host Interface
Agile RTU - Solar
[1] McKinsey & Company, “Disruptive technologies: Advances that will transform life, business, and the global economy”, May 2013: http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/business_technology/disruptive_technologies [2] University of Wollongong Faculty of Engineering & Information Services, “Study of Waste Water Quality Management in Illawarra Coal Mines”, 1998: http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1267&context=coal [3] EPA South Australia, “Regulatory monitoring and testing – Monitoring plans requirements”, August 2013: http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/xstd_files/Water/Guideline/guide_mpr.pdf
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