Keeping connected underground
SINCE the release of Northern Light Technology’s (NLT) award-winning (Australia and the USA) N-Connex networking solution a little over two years ago, the market growth has been exponential.
NLT is now about to roll out its 25th installation after successfully concluding two new sales to Imerys mines located in Greece.
N-Connex has been hugely successful for NLT in both the global hard rock mining and tunneling markets.
N-Connex system
N-Connex was specifically developed for harsh environments and the simplicity, robustness and reliability of the system is a major reason for the success.
The product suite is a modular, IP67 rated, data network and communications solution.
N-Connex provides a gigabite ( up to 10 Gb available) fiber backbone, ethernet and WiFi connectivity and a range of modules that connect easily to enable voice communications, emergency evacuation, ventilation optimisation, fixed and mobile equipment monitoring and control as well as IOT sensor monitoring.
If it works with ethernet or WiFi, it will work with N-Connex.
While NLT were the first in the world to develop and deploy intrinsically safe WiFi into a coal mine, the company took its time to develop N-Connex to meet the needs of hard rock mines.
The first system was installed into a silver mine in Mexico and was soon followed by MMG’s Dugald River zinc mine in Queensland.
Further success in Mexico was achieved when Canada’s Pan American Silver (PAS) procured the system over a traditional leaky feeder offering.
PAS was one of the first to deploy N-Connex for full voice and network capabilities, and was so impressed it subsequently installed N-Connex in a second mine in Mexico and an operation in Bolivia.
Today, in addition to Australia, N-Connex systems are installed in Canada, USA, Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Switzerland, Austria and South Africa.
N-Connex is simple to deploy due to the nature of the “plug and play” pre-terminated fiber optic cables and Cat6 cables.
The connections are clear and keyed to reduce complexity and the risk for error.
The modular hardware does not require any additional enclosure or cabinets as it is IP67-rated and designed for supporting directly on the mine wall.
The proprietary brackets and rail assembly are also quick to deploy and install with a typical node installation taking less than an hour.
All devices are connected via Power over Ethernet (PoE), and with NLT’s proven Cat6 Extenders; mine sites can easily achieve 400-500m of connectivity over the Cat6 cables, hence enabling very cost-effective coverage in a typical hard rock mine.
Partnering with Icom, NLT now offers a handheld and vehicle mounted IP (WiFi) radio that looks and functions similarly to traditional two-way radios.
The result is that mine personnel are very comfortable with the technology and are happy to adopt it.
Additionally, performance of the IP radio terminals is superior to their two-way counterparts, and so the critical component of voice communications over IP networks is now finally a reality.
Emergency alarm options
N-Connex modules also include two emergency or alarm options.
These modules will both inform underground personnel of an emergency and also enable triggering of a controlled alarm as well.
With high intensity strobes and 110dB sirens as standard, the modules easily boost safety in the underground environment.
Control and monitoring of electrical equipment and sensors is also easily achieved via the digital and analog IO modules.
Applications include paste-fill, dust suppression, blasting operations and many others.
Perfect for mine operations
NLT general manager Tony Napier said that N-Connex takes the complexity out of networking and that convenience and durability made it perfect for mining operations.
“The rugged nature and IP67 rating of the N-Connex enclosures means that failures are very rare,” he said.
The enclosure and internal hardware are very reliable and hence the uptime of an N-Connex system is very high and suitable for covering critical applications such as voice communications, tele-remote vehicle operations, control and monitoring of paste-fill applications, and enabling of ventilation on demand.
“More common data communications, video and tracking benefit from the inherent reliability of N-Connex as well,” Mr Napier said.
Uptime is maximised by using the pre-terminated cables, and a special fiber joiner is used, which removes the need for difficult splicing underground.
“If a cable is damaged, it is quicker to replace that shorter section than try to conduct repairs,” he said.
“The system enables a mine to expand at their own pace through the addition of true plug and play modules.”