The future of safety needs to embrace technology to keep up with the continual changes to production and manufacturing processes in the modern age.
As the mining, construction, and resource industry progresses, organisations are transitioning towards digitalisation as an integral part of their day-to-day operations and ensure the health and safety of site personnel.
When implementing a strategy to optimise operations within a mine, an organisation needs to consider five essential aspects:
- personnel safety,
- daily operational activities,
- cost efficiency,
- ease of application,
- and integration into the current setup.
MineARC Systems, a global leader in refuge chambers, has been investing in developing new technologies to create more intelligent safety solutions. Collectively known as MineARC’s GuardIAN Intelligence Network, the latest products integrate with existing operating systems, with the ultimate goal of providing customers with a suite of comprehensive and integrated industry solutions.
The Future of Safety
Remotely Monitoring Refuge Chamber Activity
Due to the nature of mining, proactive safety management and emergency response planning are critical to ensuring the health and well-being of workers above and below ground.
Safety systems need to go beyond basic protection and deliver a complete management solution; monitoring operations, evaluate faults, and send immediate alerts. Having an integrated safety network with real-time communications and reporting can increase safety and emergency response team’s effectiveness in an emergency –ultimately saving lives.
GuardIAN Refuge Chamber Monitoring
Leading the Way in Refuge Chamber Technology
Released to the market in 2016, MineARC’s GuardIAN Refuge Chamber Monitoring (GuardIAN RCM) forms the GuardIAN Intelligence Network hub.
GuardIAN RCM enables real-time monitoring of all vital refuge operating systems via an online interface that can be accessed from any computer, tablet or smartphone. It integrates with existing MineARC Refuge Chamber technologies including Aura-FX Gas Monitoring, the Compressed Air Management System (CAMS) and the Satellite UPS Battery Bank System. Integration simplifies maintenance requirements and provides the confidence that a site’s fleet of refuge chambers is emergency ready at all times. Mine sites worldwide are already benefiting from the daily safety and maintenance advantages that GuardIAN RCM provides.
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Tracking and Navigation for Wearable PPE
MineARC’s GuardIAN Intelligence will not be limited to refuge chambers.
With personal safety at the forefront, MineARC is in the early stages of expanding the network to include tracking and navigational technology; meaning digital integration can be utilised across a range of Personal Protective Equipment.
Underground Mining Cap Lamp Technology
First to be released is MineARC’s premium SiriUS-LUX LED Cap Lamp. Providing top of the line efficiencies and visibility for an underground environment with features such as automatic light adjustment, a superior colour rendering index and power conservation, one of the most exciting benefits of SiriUS-LUX lies in the capacity for integrated GuardIAN tracking software.
With the addition of this software, personnel can be located remotely from the control room via GuardIAN, providing vital information for search and rescue teams in an emergency.
Investing in Underground Safety Technology
Adopting these new technologies will overcome common problems many organisations deal with daily regarding safety planning. For example, streamlining operational procedures through connected assets and data transfer will improve safety and regulatory compliance and provide peace of mind when accounting for personnel at any given time.
Additional products that are in the early stages of research and development include;
- Tracking nodes with integrated gas monitoring technology, enabling the real-time transfer of data through the mine site;
- a smart-helmet with a heads-up navigational display, dust particulate filtration and temperature control;
- and hand-held, portable gas monitoring devices, allowing personnel to monitor their surroundings at any given time.
MineARC’s GuardIAN Intelligence enables organisations to efficiently utilise information and technology to enhance their sites’ safety and emergency planning.