Mine Site Technologies is a solutions provider, specializing in the development and supply of technology, and services, to the mining industry. Our particular areas of expertise include underground communications, remote blasting systems, mine tagging & WiFi tracking systems and cap lamps; as well as high data wireless mesh systems for open pit and surface communications.

Aracata Mine Peru

We are extremely proud to announce that MST has been chosen by Hochschild Mining Group to be their mine communication partner in for their mines throughout Latin America.

Hochschild is modernizing and expanding their operations to optimize safety and increase production in their mines. As such they had identified improved underground mine communications as a vital enabling technology to help meet their corporate goals. On this basis Hochschild went out to competitive tender seeking a partner with extensive mining communication skills and technologies. Hence we were very honored to be chosen by Hochschild after their extensive international search into mining communications.

The range of MST’s communication technologies was a deciding factor as MST is able to provide a range of complementary technologies to provide overall communication solutions to their mining operations.

The initial technology implementations will underground two-way communications provided by the VDV Leaky Feeder Radio System. The VDV system are being installed at the following mines:

Aracata Mine in Peru; is installing a VDV System consisting of a 5 Channel VDV Headend, 19.6 km (64,000 ft) of radiating leaky coax antenna cable, 3,000 m (9,800 ft) of non-radiating cable, 54 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 7 Branches (both 2 & 3 way versions) , plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

Selene Mine in Peru; is also installing VDV Leaky Feeder with a 5 Channel Headend, 4.2 km (14,000 ft) of leaky coax antenna cable, 13 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 3 Branches (both 2 & 3 way versions) , plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

San Jose Mine in Argentina; this VDV System will cover the two mines at this with the single 5 channel Headend. The underground distribution has 2.8 km (9,200 ft) of radiating leaky coax antenna cable and 4,500 m (14,800 ft) of non-radiating cable. This cable infrastructure incorporates 13 Infinity Line Amplifiers with full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

Pallancata Mine in Peru; a new development, this mine requires 1,100 m (3,600 ft) 4 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 1 Branch, plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface on their 5 channel Headend.

Selene Mine Peru

VDV Line Amps are small and extremely robust for mine use

We are extremely proud to announce that MST has been chosen by Hochschild Mining Group to be their mine communication partner in for their mines throughout Latin America.

Hochschild is modernizing and expanding their operations to optimize safety and increase production in their mines. As such they had identified improved underground mine communications as a vital enabling technology to help meet their corporate goals. On this basis Hochschild went out to competitive tender seeking a partner with extensive mining communication skills and technologies. Hence we were very honored to be chosen by Hochschild after their extensive international search into mining communications.

The range of MST’s communication technologies was a deciding factor as MST is able to provide a range of complementary technologies to provide overall communication solutions to their mining operations.

The initial technology implementations will underground two-way communications provided by the VDV Leaky Feeder Radio System. The VDV system are being installed at the following mines:

Aracata Mine in Peru; is installing a VDV System consisting of a 5 Channel VDV Headend, 19.6 km (64,000 ft) of radiating leaky coax antenna cable, 3,000 m (9,800 ft) of non-radiating cable, 54 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 7 Branches (both 2 & 3 way versions) , plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

Selene Mine in Peru; is also installing VDV Leaky Feeder with a 5 Channel Headend, 4.2 km (14,000 ft) of leaky coax antenna cable, 13 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 3 Branches (both 2 & 3 way versions) , plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

San Jose Mine in Argentina; this VDV System will cover the two mines at this with the single 5 channel Headend. The underground distribution has 2.8 km (9,200 ft) of radiating leaky coax antenna cable and 4,500 m (14,800 ft) of non-radiating cable. This cable infrastructure incorporates 13 Infinity Line Amplifiers with full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

Pallancata Mine in Peru; a new development, this mine requires 1,100 m (3,600 ft) 4 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 1 Branch, plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface on their 5 channel Headend.

Pallancata Mine Peru

VDV Multi-Channel Headend

We are extremely proud to announce that MST has been chosen by Hochschild Mining Group to be their mine communication partner in for their mines throughout Latin America.

Hochschild is modernizing and expanding their operations to optimize safety and increase production in their mines. As such they had identified improved underground mine communications as a vital enabling technology to help meet their corporate goals. On this basis Hochschild went out to competitive tender seeking a partner with extensive mining communication skills and technologies. Hence we were very honored to be chosen by Hochschild after their extensive international search into mining communications.

The range of MST’s communication technologies was a deciding factor as MST is able to provide a range of complementary technologies to provide overall communication solutions to their mining operations.

The initial technology implementations will underground two-way communications provided by the VDV Leaky Feeder Radio System. The VDV system are being installed at the following mines:

Aracata Mine in Peru; is installing a VDV System consisting of a 5 Channel VDV Headend, 19.6 km (64,000 ft) of radiating leaky coax antenna cable, 3,000 m (9,800 ft) of non-radiating cable, 54 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 7 Branches (both 2 & 3 way versions) , plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

Selene Mine in Peru; is also installing VDV Leaky Feeder with a 5 Channel Headend, 4.2 km (14,000 ft) of leaky coax antenna cable, 13 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 3 Branches (both 2 & 3 way versions) , plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

San Jose Mine in Argentina; this VDV System will cover the two mines at this with the single 5 channel Headend. The underground distribution has 2.8 km (9,200 ft) of radiating leaky coax antenna cable and 4,500 m (14,800 ft) of non-radiating cable. This cable infrastructure incorporates 13 Infinity Line Amplifiers with full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

Pallancata Mine in Peru; a new development, this mine requires 1,100 m (3,600 ft) 4 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 1 Branch, plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface on their 5 channel Headend.

San Jose Mine Argentina

VDV Line Amps use Saw Pass Filters to ensure high quality signal

We are extremely proud to announce that MST has been chosen by Hochschild Mining Group to be their mine communication partner in for their mines throughout Latin America.

Hochschild is modernizing and expanding their operations to optimize safety and increase production in their mines. As such they had identified improved underground mine communications as a vital enabling technology to help meet their corporate goals. On this basis Hochschild went out to competitive tender seeking a partner with extensive mining communication skills and technologies. Hence we were very honored to be chosen by Hochschild after their extensive international search into mining communications.

The range of MST’s communication technologies was a deciding factor as MST is able to provide a range of complementary technologies to provide overall communication solutions to their mining operations.

The initial technology implementations will underground two-way communications provided by the VDV Leaky Feeder Radio System. The VDV system are being installed at the following mines:

Aracata Mine in Peru; is installing a VDV System consisting of a 5 Channel VDV Headend, 19.6 km (64,000 ft) of radiating leaky coax antenna cable, 3,000 m (9,800 ft) of non-radiating cable, 54 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 7 Branches (both 2 & 3 way versions) , plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

Selene Mine in Peru; is also installing VDV Leaky Feeder with a 5 Channel Headend, 4.2 km (14,000 ft) of leaky coax antenna cable, 13 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 3 Branches (both 2 & 3 way versions) , plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

San Jose Mine in Argentina; this VDV System will cover the two mines at this with the single 5 channel Headend. The underground distribution has 2.8 km (9,200 ft) of radiating leaky coax antenna cable and 4,500 m (14,800 ft) of non-radiating cable. This cable infrastructure incorporates 13 Infinity Line Amplifiers with full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface.

Pallancata Mine in Peru; a new development, this mine requires 1,100 m (3,600 ft) 4 Infinity Line Amplifiers, 1 Branch, plus full system diagnostics and telephone PABX interface on their 5 channel Headend.

Ramiro Mesina, our Manager for South & Central America who worked closely with Hochschild on this alliance, summed up by saying “We are very grateful to have earned the confidence of Hochschild’s personnel and look forward to working with them in this large upgrade of their mines’ communication systems”.

Cerro de Pasco Mine Peru

MST’s leaky coax cable connectors simplify installation and maintenance

Volcan Compania Minera have purchased another leaky feeder radio system from MST, this time for their Cerro de Pasco Mine in Peru.

Volcan had purchased two VDV Leaky Feeder Radio systems earlier this year for their Yauli – Andayhagua and Yauli – San Cristobal mines, so we are very pleased to received this vote of confidence in our leaky feeder technology for Cerro de Pasco Mine. The system is larger than the first two installations, consisting of:
- 9 Channel Headend
- 56 Line Amplifiers
- 19.8 km (65,000 ft) of leaky coax antenna cable

The system will provide extensive two-way radio coverage underground on the main travel ways and in the working areas.

Again, we are very grateful for this continuing support shown by Volcan for our underground communications.

Yauli-San Cristobal Mine Peru

VDV Radio System Headend

We are very pleased to announce the purchase of VDV Leaky Feeder Radio Systems by two mines from Volcan Compania Minera in Peru.

We have supplied VDV equipment into other Peruvian mines in the past, but these two installations represent our first complete system orders into Peru. Despite competition from other leaky feeder suppliers, VDV was chosen as it offered superior performance and, most importantly due to extreme physical conditions in the Peruvian mines, the highly ruggedized and sealed Infinity Series Line Amplifiers have a record for long term reliability.

The first mine isYauli – Andayhagua MIne with the first stage of the installation consisting of a 2 Channel Headend powering 44 Infinity Series Line Amplifiers in 14.6 km of leaky coax antenna.

The second mine is Yauli – San Cristobal & Carahuacra Mine. This is used to establish radio communications into a complete new area of the mine and consists of 36 Infinity Series Line Amplifiers and 10.8 km of coax antenna.

We are very grateful for the support shown by Volcan for our leaky feeder technology and the opportunity is presents in accessing further mines in Peru.

Andayhagua Mine Peru

VDV Line Amplifiers ensure long term, reliable radio system quality

We are very pleased to announce the purchase of VDV Leaky Feeder Radio Systems by two mines from Volcan Compania Minera in Peru.

We have supplied VDV equipment into other Peruvian mines in the past, but these two installations represent our first complete system orders into Peru. Despite competition from other leaky feeder suppliers, VDV was chosen as it offered superior performance and, most importantly due to extreme physical conditions in the Peruvian mines, the highly ruggedized and sealed Infinity Series Line Amplifiers have a record for long term reliability.

The first mine isYauli – Andayhagua MIne with the first stage of the installation consisting of a 2 Channel Headend powering 44 Infinity Series Line Amplifiers in 14.6 km of leaky coax antenna.

The second mine is Yauli – San Cristobal & Carahuacra Mine. This is used to establish radio communications into a complete new area of the mine and consists of 36 Infinity Series Line Amplifiers and 10.8 km of coax antenna.

We are very grateful for the support shown by Volcan for our leaky feeder technology and the opportunity is presents in accessing further mines in Peru.

Kumtor Gold

VDV Line Amplifiers are extremely rugged to ensure long term, reliable performance

Centerra Gold’s have been operating a VDV leaky feeder radio system, at their fast expanding Kumtor Gold Mine in Kyrgyzstan, and are now extending it as the mine grows.Kumtor required the system as mine development began to allow two-way communications underground between various working groups and contractors on site. The initial installation, consisted of:
- 3 Channel Headend
- 10 Line Amplifiers
- 3.5 km of leaky coax antenna cableThe system provides extensive two-way radio coverage underground on the main travel ways and in the working areas, and further equipment is being supplied for system expansion as the mine is developed further and new portals now require radio coverage. Though the mine is in a remote location, the total system was able to be built up, tested at MST, and then shipped to site. The design features of the VDV Leaky Feeder System allowed for a simple installation on site by the mine electricians.

Recent Expansion:

Kumtor Gold Mine in Kyrgyzstan are expanding their existing VDV Leaky Feeder system to provide coverage at a second portal.

A second VDV Headend is to be set up at the new portal and, as it is not line of sight to the first portal, it will be linked back to the first headend via a two-channel repeater. Similarly to the initial leaky feeder installation all components have been configured and tested prior to shipping to allow the site personnel to simply install the new extension on site.

MST remain appreciative of the support shown by Kumtor Gold in our VDV Leaky Feeder Radio System and our ability to ship a pre-configured system for straight forward site installation.

Kundana

KUNDANA GOLD MINE INSTALL LATEST TRACKER SYSTEM

MINE: KUNDANA
OWNER: KUNDANA GOLD
TYPE: UNDERGROUND GOLD
LOCATION: KALGOORLIE, WA, AUSTRALIA

BACKGROUND

Kundana Gold Mine were looking to assess the use of an electronic tagging system to allow better management of their personnel and vehicle fleet, to gain some safety and productivity benefits.

COMPOSITION

The initial system was set up with 8 Beacons and 40 Tags. The Beacons were installed down the decline at each major level. 4 Tags were issued to key personnel each shift and the remaining Tags mounted on vehicles. The main database PC, located in the surface offices was connected to the Beacons by a radio modem link to the portal. The Beacons underground are connected by a dedicated cable that not only supplies a data link between al Beacons, but also the 24 VDC power supply for the Beacons to operate.

DESCRIPTION

The system provided with location of vehicles and key personnel, mine management realized the system’s potential to assist in the operation of the mine, to a greater extent than was at first appreciated. As this understanding of the TRACKER Systems’ capabilities grows, the expansion of the system is being considered to provide:

-More Beacons underground to expand to the rest of the mine. -More Beacons in some zones to refine location. Increase Tags numbers and look at using the system to replace existing physical tag board.

JUSTIFICATION

After reviewing a number of systems and approaches Kundana decided to install the pre-production version of MST’s TRACKER Tagging System. TRACKER now uses active Tags that communicate to Beacons (Readers) placed strategically through the mine. This latest TRACKER System replaces the passive tag based system previously supplied (Kanowna Belle and Mt Charlotte Mines).

Western Metals

WESTERN METALS TELEMETRY SYSTEM ADDS MORE VALUE TO LEAKY FEEDER SYSTEM

MINE: MT GORDON
OWNER: WESTERN METALS
TYPE: UNDERGROUND COPPER
LOCATION: QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

BACKGROUND

Mt Gordon Mine in Queensland required better control of their fans to optimize performance in two key areas:

  • Energy efficiency (electricity power savings) through the ability to turn fans off, or to operate at reduced speed, when not required or where the ventilation flow can be adjusted to suit requirements.
  • Ventilation control for short term requirements (such as before, during and after blasting); or in an emergency (such as a fire) controlling ventilation to manage the spread of fumes.

COMPOSITION

Mine Site Technologies has experience in a range of telemetry applications at a number mines over the last few years. The picture to the left shows the Miri unit, which is program with the relevant ladder logic to control the various inputs and outputs. The telemetry system can be designed and installed on typical single or dual fan starters to undertake straight forward stop-start functions as well as feed back on fan faults, individual stage running or stopped, etc (basically any digital input or output). Analogue inputs, such as temperature, can be incorporated where required.

DESCRIPTION

MST was commissioned to design & supply a complete telemetry system operating through the existing leaky feeder radio system. Being a VDV Leaky Feeder System meant that the available bandwidth was more than enough to support a telemetry based fan control system. The top, left picture shows the fan starter unit built up for Mt Gordon Mine. This particular telemetry unit includes an existing timer for “soft” fan start up. Where new starter panels were required they were built up without timers, as the pulsed startup is programmed into the telemetry logic.

JUSTIFICATION

Mt Gordon was looking to improve efficiencies and hence gain cost benefits. Already using BlastPED to remotely initiate their blasts underground the control of fans was the next step to add to the cost benefits gained from the BlastPED installation. By using MST’s telemetry to control fans meant that there was no hard wire cabling link required back to any leaky feeder antenna interface boxes (inline controller). A small aerial on the starter panel allows radio communication directly to the leaky feeder system. Hence re-locating fans, which happens routinely, is much simpler as there is no hard wired control cabling required to be set up at the new location. Hence, once power is re-connnecetd to the fan starter, it is ready for immediate use.

Minesite Technologies: 25 27 Whiting St Artarmon NSW 2064 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 9437 4399 Fax: +61 2 9437 5688 Email: mst@minesite.com.au