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By J. A. Cruise

With the end of the official apartheid legislation in the early 1990s, South Africa was heralded as a non-racial country. However, racial awareness has been reintroduced into the country with the Affirmative Action and Black Economic Empowerment legislation. Gender and racial transformation are the current order of the day. All organizations are required to reflect in their make-up the demographics of the population as soon as possible. Scorecard shave been drawn up to measure the rate of transformation for gender and race in organizations. The mining industry in South Africa has been in the forefront of this transformation legislation and scorecards. This paper seeks to show the effect of gender and racial transformation on mining engineering education and professionalism by analysing the changing demographics of graduating mining students at both the South African universities offering a degree in mining engineering, the professional registration of mining engineers with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and the membership of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), the vocational institute for mining engineers. It also demonstrates the absurdity of gender and racial quotas based solely on the demographics of the current population of the country. This paper shows the degree to which mining engineering has transformed in both gender and race.

Jan 1, 2011

By G. Kang

The ferroalloys industry has generated historically substantial solid waste. The accumulated waste causes serious problems to the environment. However, it is possible to transform the solid waste into an environment-friendly resource to serve the human being. Consequently, the construction of plants that are ?environment-friendly? and that accommodate ?recycling? has become a target of most ferroalloy producers in the world to ensure sustainable development. This paper introduces the practice of Shanxi Jiaocheng Yiwang Ferroalloys Works, the biggest manganese metal producer in China, in the development of an ?environment-friendly and recycling? process. The process includes power generation using coal gangue, waste from local coal mines; hollow bricks manufacture using slag and fly ash from the power station; cement production using slag from ferroalloy smelting; recovery of ferrous and non-ferrous elements in the dust from the furnace gas cleaning system; application of silica dust in construction and so on. The final objective of the plant is to realize zero discharge of solid waste. The profit of the ?environment-friendly and recycling? process compensates in part for the operational expense of the environment facilities.

Jan 1, 2004

By A. v. E. Conradie, I. Nieuwoudt

Comminution and flotation circuits are frequently perturbed by disturbances, such as feed particle size variations, ore hardness and varying mineral liberation, which can have a significant impact on the recoveries and grades. Although advanced control strategies can neutralize many of these disturbances, few such systems have been implemented at present. One reason is that it is only recently that the requisite sensor systems have been developed and used to control froth flotation systems. Another is owed to the complexity of these non-linear interactive systems. In this paper, a plant-wide control strategy is considered, wherein both unit operations have a single overall control objective. The automated design of the controller is based on an advanced evolutionary algorithm viz., Symbiotic, Memetic Neuro-Evolution (SMNE), for developing neural network controllers in a reinforcement learning framework. A rigorous phenomenological comminution and flotation model was used to develop suitable neurocontrollers, which used all possible sensor inputs and available manipulated variables. The neurocontroller managed to identify optimal or near-optimal operating conditions consistently and showed robust performance in the presence of significant disturbances. The results suggest that evolutionary reinforcement learning offers a very competitive approach towards the development of integrated non-linear controllers for mineral processing plants. Keywords: neural networks, control, flotation, comminution, evolutionary reinforcement learning

Jan 1, 2003

By B. D. H. Knights

In November 2009 Mintek installed the FloatStar? advanced flotation stabilization system on Vale's Cauê iron ore beneficiation plant in Brazil. In September 2010 the system was upgraded to include flotation optimization. The circuit consisted of two parallel cleaner circuits producing final concentrate. The tailings from the cleaner section passed through a scavenger circuit. Large, well-instrumented feed sumps played an important role in circuit stability, presenting a good opportunity for advanced control. Previously the plant was controlled using distributed control system (DCS) level control only. The flotation circuit processes roughly 30kt/day. The FloatStar system provided advanced control of the flotation circuit as well as of the sumps feeding the circuit. The system underwent a lengthy trial to assess the benefit that it provided. Two data sets were analysed, showing performance under advanced stabilization and optimization respectively. Several validation and consistency criteria were employed to ensure the quality of the analysis. Iron recovery and iron tailings grade were used to measure system performance. The analysis showed that the system increased recovery by up to 2.7%. In addition, the system decreased the iron tailings grade by between 1.2% (from 23.5% to 22.3%) and 4.3% (from 31.3% to 27.0%) during different test campaigns. The analysis also showed that the entire FloatStar stabilization system was active for 72.7% of the time from first activation to the end of the first data set (approximately 200 days). From the analysis it was concluded that under similar conditions for 'ON' and 'OFF' tests, the system provides a clear benefit. It was also found that over the longer term, the system continues to provide a benefit. This finding suggests that the results were not simply due to a short-term advantage. The size of the data set, as well as the magnitude of the recovery improvements, lends considerable confidence to these results. Therefore, it can be concluded that the FloatStar control system provides substantial benefit to operations at this site.

Jan 1, 2012

Mineral Resource Throughput Management is based on the extraction of the maximum potential value from an ore reserve with the emphasis to generate maximum ROI and ROR (return on reserve). A steel producing company in India implemented MRTM to significantly improve their ROI and ROR. The value chain of this company consists of their own iron ore and coal mines, ore washing plants, sinter plants, steel plants, and sales and marketing division. The target for the mines was to produce at a stable and predictable rate and at specific quality requirements. These requirements were set to improve productivity and ROI of the steel plant. The implementation constituted the alignment of the reserve potential, total production chain, human resources and management culture at the mines with the requirements of the steel plant. Many typical mining practices were challenged and changed. Production targets regarding lump vs. fines ratio, consistent product tons, quality targets such as Fe, Al content and moist, and standard deviation on the quality targets were not achieved. A reverse distribution model with release mechanisms to satisfy the demand were developed and implemented at the mines. A stable and predictable flow of mine product with quality standards well within the required standard deviation targets were achieved. The contribution from the mines to significantly improve the Net Profit, ROI and ROR of the company were reached.

Jan 1, 2007

By P. H. S. W. Kulatilake, B. Malama

To simulate brittle rocks, a mixture of glastone, sand and water was used as a model material. Thin galvanized sheets were used to create joints in blocks made out of the model material. To investigate the failure modes and strength, both the intact material blocks as well as jointed model material blocks of size 35.6 × 17.8 × 2.5 cm having different joint geometry configurations were subjected to uniaxial and biaxial compressive loadings. Results obtained from the intact model material blocks are used to validate a new intact rock failure criterion for biaxial loading. Results obtained from both the intact and jointed model material blocks are used to develop a strongly non-linear new rock mass failure criterion for biaxial loading. In this failure criterion, the fracture tensor component is used to incorporate the directional effect of fracture geometry system on jointed block strength. The failure criterion shows the important role the intermediate principal stress plays on rock mass strength. Zur Simulation spröder Gesteinsarten wurde ein Modellmaterial aus Dentalgips, Sand und Wasser hergestellt. Daraus wurden Blöcke gegossen, in denen mittels dünnen, galvanisierten Blechen Trennflächen erzeugt wurden. Die Blöcke mit Abmessungen von 35.6 × 17.8 × 2.5 cm wurden in einaxialen und biaxialen Druckversuchen belastet. Es wurde das Versagensverhalten und die Festigkeit von intakten Blöcken sowie durchtrennten Blöcken mit unterschiedlicher Trennflächengeometrie untersucht. Aus den Ergebnissen der Versuche an intaktem Material wurde ein neues Versagenskriterium für biaxiale Belastungen validiert. Die Ergebnisse der Versuche an intakten und durchtrennten Blöcken wurden verwendet, um ein neues stark nicht-lineares Versagenskriterium für geklüftetes Gebirge unter biaxialer Belastung abzuleiten. Darin wird der Bruchtensor verwendet, um den Einfluss der Trennflächengeometrie auf die Festigkeit zu erfassen. Das Versagenskriterium stellt heraus, welche Bedeutung die mittlere Hauptspannung für die Gebirgsfestigkeit hat. Un mélange de platre dentaire, de sable et d’eau a été utilisé pour développer un matériau analogue des roches fragiles. De fines feuilles galvanisées permettent de créer des discontinuités représentatives des discontinuités naturelles dans des bloques fabriqués avec ce matériau analogue. Les modes de rupture et la résistance, tant pour le matériau intact que pour le matériau avec ses discontinuités, ont été étudiés sur des blocs de 35.6 × 17.8 × 2.5 cm soumis à des efforts de compression uniaxiaux et biaxiaux. Différentes configurations de géométrie de discontinuités ont été considérées. Les résultats obtenus à partir des blocs intacts permettent de vérifier un nouveau critère de rupture pour les roches intactes soumises à des efforts biaxiaux. Les résultats obtenus, tant avec les blocs intacts qu’avec les blocs avec discontinuités, sont utilisés pour développer un nouveau critère de rupture, fortement non linéaire, pour les massifs rocheux soumis à des chargements biaxiaux. Dans ce critère de rupture, un tenseur de fractures est introduit pour caractériser les effets directionnels de la géométrie des systèmes de discontinuité sur la résistance des blocs avec discontinuités. Ce critère de rupture démontre le rôle important de la contrainte principale intermédiaire sur la résistance des massifs rocheux.

Jan 1, 2003

Tracey Khanna, Assistant Editor of UK?s Mining Magazine discusses some of the new and important environmental challenges, physical and social, that are facing mining companies. The tide of public opinion has turned strongly against those companies which are unable to show that they are practising responsible environmental stewardship. This is, no doubt, in part due to the recent focus of the international media on environmental issues and constantly improving means of communications, which has brought the whole subject of mining and the environment to those who, in the past, had only a limited awareness of the industry. Mining companies today face new and important challenges with regard to the environment, both physical and social. New technology and a greater understanding of waste management techniques has helped to bring about improved handling and disposal of mines wastes, so reducing some of the impacts. However, improved technology has also brought about the economic viability of exploiting increasingly lower-grade ore from open pits, resulting in a greater visual impact.

Jan 1, 2000

To the members of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy We have audited the annual financial statements set out on pages 239 to 245. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Institute?s Council. Our responsibility is to report on these financial statements. We have conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. These standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance that, in all material respects, fair presentation is achieved in the financial statements. The audit included an evaluation of the appropriateness of the accounting policies, an examination, on a test basis, of evidence that supports the amounts and disclosures included in the financial statements, an assessment of the reasonableness of significant estimates, and a consideration of the appropriateness of the overall financial statement presentation. We consider that our auditing procedures were appropriate in the circumstances to enable us to express our opinion presented here. In our opinion these financial statements fairly present the financial position of the Institute at30th June, 1997, and the results of its operations for the year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting practice.

Jan 1, 1997

To the members of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy We have audited the annual financial statements set out on pages 269 to 276. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Institute?s Council. Our responsibility is to report on these financial statements. We have conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. These standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance that, in all material respects, fair presentation is achieved in the financial statements. The audit included an evaluation of the appropriateness of the accounting policies, an examination, on a test basis, of evidence that supports the amounts and disclosures included in the financial statements, an assessment of the reasonableness of significant estimates, and a consideration of the appropriateness of the overall financial statement presentation. We consider that our auditing procedures were appropriate in the circumstances to enable us to express our opinion presented here. In our opinion these financial statements fairly present the financial position of the Institute at 30th June, 1999, and the results of its operations for the year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting practice.

Jan 1, 1999

By W. Valderrama, D. G. Almond

Operation of large SAG mills requires a change in the conceptual approach to grinding processes. The traditional energy consumption criteria are now enhanced with new criteria derived from the mechanical dynamics of the mill load. This new approach demands instrumentation capable of providing accurate information about the load movement and the ratio of balls and ore inside the mill. This paper discusses two new performance enhancing tools available to meet these needs.

Jan 1, 2004

By H. Willenberg, J. S. Coggan

ABSTRACT: Although individually both continuum and discontinuum numerical analyses provide useful means to analyze rock slope stability problems, complex failures typically involve mechanisms related to both existing discontinuities (i.e. discontinuum) and deformation and brittle fracture of intact rock (i.e. continuum). One such example is the 1991 Randa rockslide in the southwestern Swiss Alps, where failure involved several complex mechanisms, which require the consideration of progressive failure and rock mass strength degradation. This paper presents results from a series of hybrid finite-/discrete-element models directed towards the explicit modelling of brittle fracturing in natural rock slopes, enabling the modelling of progressive failure, from initiation, through to the development of catastrophic failure, transport and deposition. RÉSUMÉ: Si les modélisations numériques de type continu ou discontinu fournissent des outils utiles pour l’analyse de problèmes de stabilité de pentes rocheuses, elles montrent de sérieuses limitations lorsque des mécanismes de rupture complexes impliquent des processus liés autant aux discontinuités préexistantes qu’au développement progressif de nouvelles fractures. Ceci se retrouve typiquement dans l’exemple de l’éboulement de 1991 à Randa dans les Alpes suisses du sud-ouest, où la rupture a impliqué plusieurs mécanismes complexes nécessitant la prise en considération de la fracturation progressive ainsi que de la dégradation de la résistance des masses rocheuses. Cet article présente des résultats provisoires d'une série de modèles hybrides orientés vers la modélisation explicite de la fracturation de pentes naturelles, permettant la modélisation de fractures progressive de leur initiation jusqu’à leur développement, leur rupture catastrophique, leur transport et leur déposition. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Obwohl numerische Kontinuum- und Diskontinuum-Berechnungen einzeln nützliche Ergebnisse zur Stabilitätsanalyse von Felshängen liefern, sind komplexe Felsrutschungen typischerweise mit Mechanismen verbunden, die sowohl durch bestehende Trennflächen (s.a. Diskontinuum-Ansatz) als auch durch die Deformation und das Versagen intakter Felsbereiche (s.a. Kontinuum-Ansatz) bedingt werden. Ein Beispiel für einen solchen Sachverhalt ist der Bergsturz von Randa 1991 im südwestlichen Teil der Schweizer Alpen, bei dem die Rutschung mehrere komplexe Mechanismen umfasste, so dass “progressive failure” und Verminderung der Gebirgsfestigkeit in Betracht gezogen werden müssen. Dieser Artikel beschreibt vorläufige Ergebnisse einer Reihe von hybriden Modellrechnungen (Finite-/Diskrete-Elemente). Diese haben zum Ziel, explizit das bruchhafte Versagen natürlicher Felshänge zu modellieren, wobei das progressives Versagen im ganzen modelliert wird, von der Anfangsphase über die Entwicklung zum katastrophalen Versagen und den Transport und die Ablagerung der Rutschmassen.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. Sakurai

We discuss the mechanical characteristics of underground structures that are subjected to vertical oscillations. Under such circumstances - expected when an earthquake rupture occurs very close to highly developed urban areas - the conventional seismic analysis, which mainly considers horizontal shear oscillations, may not be fully valid. Our analysis, based on the elastic wave theory, shows the effects of vertical disturbances and the generation mechanism of the unique damage patterns observed on the occasion of the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu (Kobe) Earthquake. Wir diskutieren über die mechanischen Eigenschaften der unterirdischen Strukturen, die sich vertikalen Schwingungen aussetzen. Unter solchen Umständen - erwartet, wann ein Erdbebenabbruch sehr nah an hochentwickelten städtischen Bereichen geschieht - kann die herkömmliche seismische Analyse, die sich hauptsächlich horizontale Schubbewegungen überlegt, möglicherweise nicht völlig gültig sein. Unsere Analyse, basiert auf der elastischen Wellentheorie, zeigt die Effekte der vertikalen Bewegungen und den Erzeugungsmechanismus der einzigartigen Beschädigungsmuster, die anläßlich des 1995 Kobe Erdbebens beobachtet wurden. Nous discutons les caractéristiques mécaniques des structures souterraines qui s’exposent aux oscillations verticales. Dans ces conditions - s’attendent quand une rupture de tremblement de terre se produit tout près des secteurs urbains fortement développés - l’analyse séismique conventionnelle, qui considère principalement des oscillations horizontales de cisaillement, peut ne pas être entièrement efficace. Notre analyse, qui est basée sur la théorie des vagues élastiques, montre les effets des mouvements verticaux et le mécanisme de génération des modèles uniques de dommages, que nous avons observés à l’occasion du tremblement de terre 1995 de Kobe.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. M. Spottiswoode, J. A. L. Napier, M. Kataka

The move away from the use of strike stabilising pillars at depth and the adoption of the more flexible system of mining towards final dip remnant pillars brings new opportunities for optimising mine design. In the initial planning stage, the size and spacing of the final pillars is designed using classical design criteria, through limiting modelled values of Energy Release Rate (ERR), Average Pillar Stress (APS) and Excess Shear Stress (ESS). In reality, mines often leave pillars that are larger than those originally designed. One of the reasons for leaving more ground is an unexpectedly high rate of seismicity. In this paper, we present developments in integration of modelling and seismicity that are aimed at developing design criteria that are more responsive to local conditions.

Jan 1, 2003

By Rajib K. Mohapatra, K. Vizaya Kumar

In any manufacturing organization internal logistics plays a vital role in improving and maintaining the productivity. In Ferro Alloys manufacturing organization where there is huge input of raw material in terms of ore, reductants and variety of fluxes amounting to about four times of the mass of alloy produced need to be handled from yard to furnaces , internal logistics requires utmost attention. Any deviation or mismatch between stock and requirement will affect furnace operation. Though the activities are being outsourced by most of the organization, these require close monitoring. This communication presents an optimization model which can work as a ready reference for the manager to decide upon the material quantity and the furnace to be fed with an objective of minimizing the cost of handling and zero production loss.

Jan 1, 2007

By S. Jiansheng, H. Nakayama, D. Lu, A. Wang

ABSTRACT: New techniques and methods for 3D geo-mechanical model test are presented in this paper. The new model material NIOS with high density and low cost; the so-called DPSS (Discrete Principal Stress Surface) loading concept, the loading and monitoring system for the generation of the 3D initial stress field of the model test, also the special techniques and apparatuses for modelling the excavation of caverns located deep inside the model material, are developed and introduced. By adopting those new techniques, a very large 3D geo-mechanical model test with high comparability for a newly designed underground powerhouse has been successfully fulfilled. Key Words: 3D model test, underground group caverns, excavation process modeling. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Neue Techniken und Methoden für 3D geomechanischen Modellversuch wurden in diesem Artikel vorgestellt. Ein neues Modellmaterial mit hocher Dichte und niedrigem Preis, ein sogenanntes DPSS (Discrete principal stress surface) Ladenkonzept, ein Laden- und Überwachungssystem für die Erzeugung des 3D primären Spannungsfelds und überdies spezielle Techniken und Maschinen für das Ausbruch der tief in dem Versuchsmodell liegenden Kaverne wurden entwickelt. Bei Anwendungen dieser neuen entwickelten Techniken wurde ein sehr großer 3D Modellversuch mit großem Maßstab für ein geplantes unterirdisches Kraftwerk erfolgreich durchgeführt. Stichworte: 3D Modellversuch, unterirdischen Gruppekaverne, Ausbruchsmodellierung Résumé: le test de modèl de Nouvelles techniques et méthodes pour la géo-mécanique 3D est figuré dans ce papier. Le nouveau modèle de matériels NIOS avec la haute densité et le coût bas; la conception proposée de chargement DPSS (Discrete Principal Stress Surface), le système de chargement et de moniteur pour la génération de champs de stress initial du test de modèle, ainsi que les techniques et appareils spéciaux pour modeler les excavations de cavernes profondément localisées dans l’intérieur du matériel de modèle, sont développés et introduits. A travers l’adoptation de ces nouveaux techniques, le test de modèle de la géo-mécanique très large 3D avec la haute comparabilité pour actualiser une nouvelle étude de la centrale électrique sous-terraine a déjà accompli avec succès. Mots de clé: test de modèle 3D, groupes de cavernes sous-terraines, processus de modèle d’excavation

Jan 1, 2003

The 102nd Annual General Meeting of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy was held in the Gold Room, Transvaal Automobile Club, 60 5th Street, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg on Wednesday, 18th August, 1999. Obituaries The President announced the death, during the year, of the following members: Honorary Life Fellows and Past Presidents D.D. Howat Life Fellows O. Deane, J.S. van Zijl Fellow A.A. Hejja Retired Fellows A.L. Forder, C.B. Parker, A.C. Petersen, F.W.J. Ross Members J.S. Stanko, D.H. Gray Retired Member P.K. Bredell Retired Associate I.S. van Eyssen In memory of the deceased and in sympathy with the bereaved, all rose and observed a moment of silence.

Jan 1, 1999

By E. Pezennec

A voluntary comprehensive environmental Risk Assessment was launched at the end of 2004 by the International Chromium Development Association. The completion is scheduled for mid 2006.EURAS, a leading environmental consultancy, was commissioned for this project, as this firm wrote in particular the Metals Environmental Risk Assessment Guidelines, the reference document for the metals and metals compounds, in particular for the forthcoming European new Chemical Policy and the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This project follows a stepwise approach, comprising 3 distinct steps: - Initial Risk Assessment: compilation, evaluation of the existing effects and exposure data for chromium III compounds and chromium metal. This information will be used for the compilation of an initial Risk Assessment Report. - Data gap analysis: which type of additional effects data should be collected and/or which exposure scenarios merit a more detailed targeted risk assessment? Recommendations and/or suggestions for further research will be formulated. - Road map: prioritization and ranking of the different proposed research programs. The presentation will mainly focus on the results and recommendations of the initial environmental Risk Assessment from an International perspective and not from an European point of view. - Hazard assessment ? definition of the Predicted Non effect Concentration (PNEC) for each environmental compartment (water, sediment, soil) - Exposure assessment ? definition of the Predicted Environmental Concentrations (PEC) for each environ-mental compartment - Comparison of the local PEC with PNEC for the chromium III compounds and chromium metal EU industry sectors covered in the project: mining of chromite, metallurgical production of chromium metal, chromium containing alloys production, production of trivalent chromium chemicals and the main applications (pigments, leather tanning, etc..). The current status on the environmental Classification and Ranking for chromium III compounds, Chromium metal and its alloys in the GHS will also be covered.

Jan 1, 2007

Application of Gy?s formula is appropriate for calculation of the Fundamental Error (FE) prior to samples being collected at any stage of the minerals process, provided that sampling parameters K and a (alpha) have been determined by calibration of the ores. Two types of calibration procedure are well established in the industry, the Hetrogeneity test and the 32-piece sampling tree experiment. The sampling tree experiment uses the variance and average grade of metal analyses from four series of samples at different nominal fragment size, as the basic input data. Pierre Gy suggested the cube as an appropriate exponent of the nominal fragment size for use in his equation. More recent work suggests that this exponent is variable and characteristic of specific ores and therefore requires calibration. The method described here explains the experimental procedure of the calibration. It is then possible to calculate a sampling nomogram using the sampling parameters K and a. This allows the sampler to determine a suitable protocol for the sampling event that will ensure that the FE does not exceed a predetermined precision at any point in the sampling procedure.

Jan 1, 2007

By S. T. Johansen, C. Colomb, B. Ravary

Combustion and thermal NOx formation have been modelled using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) commercial code Fluent 6.1. The aim was to predict and give a better understanding of the combustion in electric arc furnaces for the production of ferro-silicon and silicon metal. Another important objective was to assess the impact of a number of operating parameters on the NOx formation. The CFD tools used are de-scribed with a special focus on models for species and turbulence transport. Sensitivity studies have been carried out to study the influence of several parameters: sub-models, process gas composition and distribution at the charge surface and influence of the presence of SiO. The main conclusions are: ?Using the combination of a realistic design, boundary conditions and models, the simulated NOx level is in quantitative agreement with measurements. The presence of water vapor is particularly important because of its influence on the specific heat of the mixture and resulting temperature. ?Release of significant amounts of SiO from the charge surface results in an important increase of NOx, even if we applied a simplified combustion model for SiO gas. However, because of lack of thermal and compositional data for blowing situations (when SiO flows directly from the arc cavity through open channels to the charge surface), no quantitative validation is possible. The way SiO is distributed (uniformly or as a jet) has a limited impact on the result in our computations.

Jan 1, 2007

By C. E. Doran

Since the early 1990s the underground mining industry has embarked on a vigorous program of improving process and eliminating costs. A leading development in this program has been the implementation of leaky feeder radio systems as an enabling infrastructure for future automation. El-Equip Inc. has led this development with more than 175 mines implementing mine-wide radio infrastructures for voice and data. In this paper, we describe the implementation of a digital radio network which supports existing installations through to an automation infrastructure employing full digital cellular communications with mobile video roaming capabilities. We outline the evolutionary path from existing low speed data communications links through to 155 Mbps and beyond.

Sep 1, 2001