Kennecott Mine

Trucks and other vehicles create a truly mobile mesh network

Self Contained Trailers add flexibility to the overall mesh network

The Kennecott Open Pit Copper mine is the largest Open Pit operation in North America. Kennecott management had previously installed another type of Wireless Mesh Radio based system, but were looking to identify an alternative communication solution due to:

• Proprietary system required dedicated vendor’s system technicians to support
• System limitations included lack of I.P addresses reduced functionality of Modular DISPATCH® and MINECare® systems
• Administration and management of system was difficult
• Support & related issues

Rajant provided a pilot Wireless Mesh system which was then expanded mine wide. A description of the Rajant installation follows.

Rajant/MST Network Topology:

• Total of 140 x Shovels and Haulage Trucks fitted with the Rajant ME (Dual AP 802.11b Wireless System)
• 30 x Auxillary equipment and vehicles also monitored at various times. These included Dozers, Blasting and Transport vehicles.
• Multiple Pumps stations within the pit are also monitored via wireless connections
• 12 fixed locations around the perimeter of the pit operations have Rajant Exel high power TX units (500 milliwatts) installed providing the communications links with all mobile and fixed wireless devices, and field computer systems within the pit. These units also utilize noise reduction + filtering.
• 9 Portable Trailers with Rajant Communication Links are also utilized and located at different locations along haul roads and at dumps sites. These units are moved around on a regular basis due to changing dump sites and haul roads being monitored.
• All communication links are totally wireless except for one communication fibre link back to Mine Operations Dispatch Building.

System Overview:

• The Rajant Wireless Mesh communications system is interfaced with the Modular Mining DISPATCH® and Mine Management Software Application system.
• This consists of the Application and Management system located in the Mine Operations and Dispatch Buildings and Modular’s proprietary Vehicle Display Panel and Communications unit . These units are installed in the truck cabins, and are interfaced to the Rajant ME Dual Radio Access Points via an Ethernet connection.
• The Modular vehicle system monitors:
  • Vehicle health diagnostics
  • Payload
  • GPS Location
  • Monitors and verifies Call Points and Location
• Majority of pit operations vehicles are Caterpillar and Komatsu.

Rajant/MST System Benefits:

• Daily administration, changes and updates are easily managed by the Kennecott Radio Guy . This was not possible before with the different vendor’s system Wireless Mesh system. Non network engineers can address and assign new vehicles and units within the system.
• Communications reliability significantly improved with negligible signal dropouts
• Rajant Wireless S/W Protocol dynamically reduces the hop count between vehicles and reduces any system latency with a maximum number of hops of 12-14 with 3 – 4 being normal.
• Significant Cost reduction in system purchase, installation and support
• Proprietary vendor support is no longer an issue.
• No network management or monitoring required.

Planned System Upgrades:

• All Auxillary Vehicles will be included in system monitoring (Total of 180 Vehicles and Trucks)
• System to be upgraded to 802.11g standard providing enhanced bandwidth 54Mhz capability.
• Surveyors and Geologists will be provided with full wireless PDA and Laptop support within the mine and pit operations.
• New Rajant Management and Administration system will identify physical and equipment failures including broken antennas on vehicles and maintenance issues plus historical system reports.

The ease of installation and on-going reliabilty of the Rajant Wireless Mesh has more than met Kennecott expectations, with the BreadCrumb System providing a positive contribution to overall mine management and productivity.