Whilst communications systems in the mining industry have evolved over the years, the premise remains consistent that reliable communication is vital for safety and operational efficiency. Today's open pit mines are benefiting from advanced developmental efforts based on mesh networking hardware and software technology. This paper highlights Rajant Corporation's adaptation of technology, originally developed for the defence and first responder industries, to provide wireless network connectivity in open pit mining applications. Featured is the large-scale deployment of over 300 mobile, meshing access points in the Bingham Canyon Copper mine near Salt Lake City, Utah, the world's largest open pit copper mine._x000D_
Many companies have positioned themselves, their technology and their product line in the arena of rugged outdoor wireless broadband mesh networking infrastructure. However, Rajant Corporation has combined specialised command and control software and portable networks which offer network extensibility and redundancy that are not available in any other networking solution. Rajant Corporation's BreadCrumb offers unique traits in portability and non-line-of-site networking nodes which intelligently route and broadcast in standard 802.11 protocol. The advantage of Rajant's solution is especially valuable for users needing equipment moved easily and rapidly into and out of the theatre of operations with uninterrupted network availability. The main differentiators that set the BreadCrumb network apart from the competitors are mobility (continuous availability), simplicity, ability to properly load balance and power options._x000D_
In 2007, Rajant's BreadCrumb wireless mesh system was selected by the Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation (KUCC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto, as its primary communications platform for operations within the Bingham Canyon Copper mine, the world's largest open pit copper mine. The Rajant BreadCrumb technology enables KUCC to gain additional operational efficiencies by tracking, monitoring and managing its copper mining operations._x000D_
The primary goal of using the BreadCrumb wireless mesh system Kennecott was to streamline its complex mining operations. KUCC required a high number of moving wireless nodes for improving mine monitoring and control. The Rajant InstaMesh software running on the wireless BreadCrumb units connects hundreds of devices to each other while rapidly transporting critical operational data._x000D_
Kennecott has successfully implemented a large number of BreadCrumb radios in an interconnected network that allows loader trucks, shovels, pumps, laptops and other production equipment to communicate with each other in real-time. These systems are a mix of secure access nodes that enable data and voice communications across a meshed, self-healing network for fleet dispatch, health monitoring and other critical mining applications. Many of the devices that require wireless communications are moving at all times throughout the wireless mining infrastructure. The BreadCrumb nodes rapidly adapt to any changes in the network topology, assuring that IP traffic uptime and bandwidth are maximised._x000D_
The installation layout and data network specifics, as well as maps and data network efficiencies will be detailed in the paper._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Lenard, P and Booth, G, 2008._x000D_
Integrated communications for surface and open pit applications, in Proceedings First International Future Mining Conference and Exhibition 2008, pp 155-160 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).