The current and future requirements for an underground mine information
management system are being met with a flexible, value-engineered
approach to mine information/communication infrastructures. El-Equip
has developed and delivered to over fifty mines around the world an
integrated, high capacity, radio-based leaky feeder communication system
called MultiCOM. To meet the requirements of recently developed
advanced information management technologies, such as production and
ventilation management, the system has evolved to support simultaneous
mobile and fixed information delivery services over an integrated single
cable system. The following paper will review how MultiCOM is enabling
information/communications technology to cost-effectively implement
mine monitoring and control applications. Applications described in this
paper include mobile vehicle production tracking, vehicle location,
ventilation system monitoring and control with integrated ventilation
system simulation. The techniques described are leading the world in
terms of flexible and value-engineered applications of technology in the
underground mine.