Minetec, a division of Codan, has introduced ELF II (Ethernet-over-Leaky Feeder), a software-defined communications infrastructure providing high speed data throughput and capacity for underground mining communications management and operations.
Data throughput has been increased from 20 to more than 60 megabytes per second in ELF II surpassing conventional systems by more than three times the speed.
“The increased data throughput in ELF II has been introduced to address the needs of complex mining operations to support high data rate applications from the working face to the rest of the mine, including but not limited to video, SCADA, telemetry and mine management applications,” said Andy Sheppard, executive general manager, Minetec.
“The ELF II infrastructure has been operating successfully in commissioned systems and is now available to the broader mining community.”
A number of mines worldwide have commissioned ELF II in South America, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Australia.
“All new Minetec customers will receive the ELF II infrastructure moving forward, and existing Minetec customers can upgrade to the new software-defined architecture,” added Sheppard.
The Minetec ELF II supports full voice, Ethernet and IP-based connectivity over previously installed leaky feeder-based, voice communication systems.
ELF II is able to provide seamless upgrade over these systems through ‘swap & drop’, Power-on-Equipment (POE) and advanced diagnostics capabilities. ELF II can also interface to fiber-optic and RF-based technologies through its Access Point (AP) capabilities.
In addition to integration with third-party technologies, ELF II coupled with powerful mining applications developed by Minetec are rapidly becoming a standard in mining operation including SMARTS, SafeDetect and the Trax+Tags II tracking system. Together, these Minetec solutions provide a comprehensive, enterprise-wide solution for underground mining operations.
Minetec is part of the Codan Group of companies. Minetec has expanded its hard-rock underground mining expertise to address the needs of aboveground, open cut mining. Minetec supports products through integrated project engineering, delivery and life cycle services and maintenance.