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Thiess Mining is one of Australia’s leading mining contractors with over 90 years’ experience. They employ over 12,000 employees and operate in almost 20 locations internationally.
Their open cut coal mining operation at Mount Pleasant stretches over 6 square kilometres and is approximately 220m deep. Holding over 474 million tonnes of total reserve, the operation produces high quality and low impurity coal which is shipped to international markets.
The mine utilises controlled blasts to fragment overlying rock before digging via excavators. Mined reserves are then transported offsite by rail loop.
Due to the large nature of their operation, Thiess Mining sought a multi-redundant, site-wide communications system that would encompass the mine’s numerous sectors without audio interference. Radios would need to be utilised by both ground personnel as well as installed into the mine’s vehicle fleet.
This system would have to incorporate off-grid infrastructure as well as account for the depth of the mine, whilst autonomously logging system statistics to a private server. Furthermore, the communication system installed at Mount Pleasant would require dispatcher-operated alert systems to ensure staff safety in the event of an emergency.
National Wireless installed a large fleet system, utilising 7 repeater tower nodes equipped with DAMM Multi-Tech Outdoor Base Station BS422, a series of Cambium Network wireless microwave links, and over 330 Sepura radios across a wide model range. This system would operate on 14 separate frequencies and include dispatcher-operated alert systems.
The DAMM BS422 Base Station was chosen for its reliability and technology independent nature – allowing Mt Pleasant’s mining operation to connect multiple nodes into one coherent system. These points automatically log system statistics and voice logs to a customer-owned private server.
Three dual carrier base stations were installed across the site; at MPO towers 1-7, whilst a single carrier DAMM BS422 was positioned at the mine’s rehab area nodes 6 and 7. Each node provides overlapping coverage, acting as a redundancy in the event that a single node tower should deactivate and ensuring coverage in the deepest levels of the mine via distributed architecture.
Each node was equipped with its own base station controller and transmitter in a master/slave configuration for geographical redundancies and extended coverage. These systems were configured that in the event of the master site failing, the slave sites would autonomously take control until restoration.
To reduce required infrastructure, these base stations are solar powered off-grid and positioned upon skid frames. The system was intended to be capable of upscaling in the event of the mine sites expansion.
Cambium Wireless Microwave Links were installed at each node, connecting the base stations and allowing site-wide communication. National Wireless opted for a combination of the Cambium PMP450 and Cambium PTP820s for their extended reach and responsive performance.
Underground sections, such as the coal reclaim tunnel running from the mine’s product stockpile to the train loop, were equipped with Bi-Directional Amplifiers to ensure coverage across the entire operation.
A Radio-Over IP was installed at Tower 3 near Mount Pleasant mine’s train loop – providing site operators a means to directly communicate with incoming train arrivals.
The Sepura SC2024 was chosen for its reliability, large LED display, dustproof capabilities, and powerful audio – allowing Mount Pleasant’s staff to effectively communicate in a heavy-noise environment. Safety features, such as Man-Down, Lone Worker, and GPS tracking provide distress signals in the event of an injury, and designated emergency alert buttons across the majority of the mine’s handheld fleet ensure swift response in emergency situations.
Sepura SCG22 mobile radio terminals were installed in the mine’s vehicles, primarily due to their flexible console options. Additionally, loud audio and pre-configured audio messaging systems ensure staff are able to communicate without being distracted.
National Wireless programmed automated water-fill point prompts within the mine’s watercart radios. Using this system, water-refill locations were encompassed with geo-fences which are alerted when the watercart radios enter the zone. This notifies drivers via audible tone and permits the user to message commands which fills the tanker to 95% capacity before automatically sending a deactivation message. Should the automatic commands fail – the watercart radios are installed with manual override commands.
Each radio was assigned a designated profile from one of 14 different options, detailing the unit’s capabilities to activate site-wide emergency alerts, permit private calling and text messages, report status updates, and request electricians.
National Wireless installed the fleet with custom-made dispatcher operated alert messages. Using this, supervisors can send site-wide audio alerts to every radio within the fleet network for a variety of emergencies via easy-to-use hotkeys.
Installations provided by National Wireless ensure Thiess Mining operations in Mount Pleasant have extended communication coverage. Regular inspections, performed by National Wireless technicians, allow the team to identify coverage weak spots in the event of the site’s upgrading, and off-grid base station systems allow clear audio communication across Mount Pleasant’s large radio fleet whilst uploading system logs for safekeeping.
Emergency responses, such as operator controlled alert dispatches secure staff safety whilst watercart operated fill prompts, and an over radio IP ensures functions at the site run smoothly.
National Wireless can offer:
National Wireless prides itself on being Australia’s Premier Wireless Communications Solutions Provider specialising in walkie talkies and two-way radios. With offices located in Adelaide, Brisbane & Newcastle and a team of highly trained staff, we are well positioned to service the needs of the business to business, commercial and industrial marketplace.
3/10 Enterprise Drive
Beresfield NSW 2322
(02) 4964 1533