Newmont's Leeville gold mine is using a Wi-Fi based system to track the movement of personnel and equipment passing through its 21 levels of underground tunnels. The system provides the mining operation with safety, by helping it locate and contact the appropriate individuals based on that location, as well as gain efficiency by knowing who and what is underground. This helps it comply with safety regulations.
Leeville deployed a system of 500 radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to track 450 employees and 50 pieces of equipment. A tag is built into the battery pack that powers a miner's cap lamp to ensure workers do not enter the tunnels without the tags.
Within the tunnels, 85 Wi-Fi access points were installed to give the mine the least expensive and most effective coverage. Using this system, mine managers can seek a specific individual, search for any people or equipment that could be in harm's way in the event of an accident or controlled explosion, or find someone with a specific job title who is closest to the area in which he is needed.
The system is also used at the mine's 16 mustering areas, where workers gather in the event of a controlled explosion, accident or other dangerous incident. There, supervisors can ascertain that everyone is safe, or determine who is still missing and see that person's location.
By applying tags to equipment, Leeville is able to locate the vehicles or tools it needs. For example, when a piece of equipment is due for servicing, managers can locate that item and either dispatch the necessary crews to the equipment, or move it to a location where it can be serviced. Other technology can be installed at gateways between one area of a tunnel system and another, which can sound alerts if unauthorized personnel enter.
Newmont Jundee plans to roll out this system as well.
