MSHA Approval for Underground Digital Network

The Wireless Network Switch forms a key part of the overall digital communication backbone

The MinePhone is a VoIP Telephone specifically made for underground mines

Mine Site Technologies’ ImPact Digital Network has been approved by MSHA (Approval Number 23-A00003-0) for use in underground coal mines in the United States, and is listed as meeting the requirements of Communications & Tracking for the MINER Act 2006. Already extensively deployed in hard rock mines and in fresh air (intakes airways) applications in coal mines, the approval will allow the underground Wi-Fi network to be extended into the gassy zones and working faces in coal mines. Most important, it will allow the completion of a number of installations throughout the US where the ImPact communication and underground tracking system has been selected to meet the requirements of MSHA’s Miner Act 2006.The ImPact Wi-Fi network forms the communication backbone for MST’s MinePhone to provide two-way voice and texting along the primary and secondary escapeways underground. The MinePhone is a VoIP telephone handset allows private dialling between other phones in the network and the mine’s outside telephone system. Additionally, the MInePhone has 24 channels, Push-to-Talk functionality and Emergency Calling. The MinePhone is in the final stages of approval with MSHA. The Wireless Network Switches (WNS) that form a key part of this digital backbone also act as readers for Wi-Fi RFID Tags that are carried by miners underground. Both the MinePhone and ImPact Digital Network are finalizing coal mine certification in Australia.