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.

Proximity Detection (Coal)

RFID Tags and HazardAvert PAD's are incorporated into the ICCL Cap Lamp to ensure the personal proximity devices are always with the miners underground

Background

Mine Site Technologies have further developed our general tracking and tagging technology to provide a Proximity Detection System for underground mines, as well as surface mines and industries. The Proximity Detection System, sometimes referred to as Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS) or Collision Avoidance Technologies, can be implemented to reduce the risk of the people coming into contact with vehicles in an uncontrolled manner.
The Proximity Detection System (PDS) was developed as the occurrence of near misses and previous fatalities have been acknowledged by both hard rock and coal mining companies as confirming the need for some form of Proximity Detection to provide an additional level of control in vehicle-person hazards. Increasing levels of vehicle use, automation and remote control has added to this requirement.
The Proximity Development leveraged off the Intellectual Property and experience gained with our existing ImPact TRACKER tagging technology, and support from the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) and a number of coal and hard rock mines in Australia, including Xstrata Coal, Centennial Coal and Xstrata Zinc.

Most importantly an alliance has been formed with Frederick Mining Controls (FMC) to supply their HazardAvert® Proximity Detection System into Australia. The HazardAvert System is applicable to all types of mines, but is especially suited to the challenging technological requirements in providing proximity detection and warning around continuous miners and shuttle cars in underground coal mines. See details on the HazardAvert® System below.

Brochures

Click here for Hard Rock Mine Proximity Detection System brochure
Click here for Coal Mine Proximity Detection System brochure

Principles of Operation

The basic concept is to use active Tags worn by miners underground to be detected by vehicle mounted Readers. The Reader is our existing Vehicle Intelligence Platform (VIP) Wi-Fi enabled data logger module. This VIP module is interfaced to a Display Unit to alert the driver of a person encroaching within the vehicles vicinity. The Display Unit will also provide the interface between the operator and the system, e.g. a means to acknowledge Tags and other necessary controls, such as alert outputs, etc.

The system uses a vehicle mounted Reader that would detect the approach of an active Tag, and provides two levels of warning:

Outer Zone 60 to 120 m:
- Gives a first warning to operator that there is someone around
- Detection Range is roughly adjustable from 60-120m
- Detects personnel around corners and blind-spots

Inner Zone 2 to 15 m:
- Uses a Very Low Frequency (VLF) magnetic field to give an accurately-shaped detection zone around the vehicle
- Detection Range adjustable from 2-15m with +1m tolerance
- Triggers a higher-level alarm

The basic principle is to install a VIP Module to operate as a Reader on a vehicle to detect active RFID Tags worn by miners and to process the data for presentation on the operator interface and touch screen. The technology creates an additional level of control, to complement existing anti-collision procedures, for:

  • People-Vehicle collisions;
    and potentially;
  • Zone control; for example a shutdown system if some unauthorized person or vehicle intrudes in an area where remote controlled vehicles are operating, or as a more reliable means for control of non-Flameproof (FLP) vehicles in coal mines.
  • Vehicle-Vehicle collisions

The system has been developed to use our existing RFID Tags. The reasoning behind this include:

  • One tag being used for two applications makes engineering & economic sense.
  • Also, mines that have installed a tagging system can have the option to gain further value from their investment, as it will allow these mines to easily implement this Proximity Detection by simply adding VIP Module to their vehicles, as their workforce will already be equipped with Tags.
  • The two Tag types are:
    • Self Contained Tag with its own battery supply, which can be carried by personnel (e.g. in a pouch) or mounted on a vehicle (to allow vehicle tracking).
    • A Tag that is integrated into the new ICCL (Integrated Communications Cap Lamp), this ensures it is a personal item that the miner will carry with them at all times.
    • Another electronic module can also be added to the ICCL for the HazardAvert System described below.

HazardAvert® System
The complex requirements of providing a Proximity System to operate around continuous miners and shuttle cars has led to the alliance with FMC to integrate their HazardAvert® System into our proximity solutions.
The base Proximity System has been developed to use our existing RFID Tags, but to using the HazardAvert System requires an additional module, the Personal Alert Device (PAD). To ensure for it’s simple addition to a miner’s personal equipment, the PAD is incorporated into the ICCL cap lamp. This not only makes it practical from an ergonomic point of view, but ensures it remains with the person underground to provide safety alerts when required.

Key features of the HazardAvert® System include:

  • Configurable detection field shapes to provide detection zones to allow safe working zones within close proximity of the actual continuous miner whist providing rapid alert and safety cut-outs if required.
  • Pedestrian Alert by visible and audible alarms to alert the worker they have entered a danger or No-Go zone.
  • Integration into the ICCL cap lamp to ensure equipment is always with the miner underground.
  • Data logging of all zones breaches and activity for later analysis.
  • On-Vehicle alarms and emergency stop capability if required.

Complex Detection Zones can be set up with HazardAvert

The use of the term Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS) is common, but Mine Site Technologies prefers to describe our collision risk control systems as Proximity Detection Systems to better reflect their actual functionality.

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