GPS and satellite communication in underground mining; a 10 year development project still not working

摘要

Communication with underground vehicles. Dream or reality? We talk a lot about GPS, GSM, GPRS, Ethernet, TCP/IP, leaky feeder. Ultra Low Frequency, Satellite communications... . While these technologies might be suitable in a scenario when an open area is to be covered, the shielding rock and ore in the underground mine or in the tunnel makes it quite a different story. But don't get frustrated! However by using existing commercial equipment, underground communication is quite feasible. The Atlas Copco underground drill rigs with the Rig Remote Access option and the WLAN infrastructure in the Outokumpu Kemi Mine in Northern Finland proves that underground mine communication works. The drill rigs are integrated into the Ethernet WLAN communication network covering the whole new underground mine in Kemi. But not only that; thanks to the infrastructure, the drill rigs are also logically integrated into the information systems in Outokumpu's administrative organization. Basic strategy, both for Atlas Copco and for Outokumpu, is to build up the communication systems with existing, commercially available equipment. Using existing standards makes it possible to follow the evolution in the computer area. We benefit from not having to design any hardware or communication software ourselves, just to adapt the commercially offered state of the art solutions. We save money, time and have always top performance of our installation.