As the global mining industry embraces digital technology and enters a new phase of development, a Sudbury-based company is poised to lead mining companies into the digital era.
Over the past six years, Maestro Mine Ventilation has become a dominant player in the global mine supply market by manufacturing digital instruments and controls for underground mine ventilation and now it is prepared to take over the digital communication market.
The company has rebranded itself as Maestro Digital Mine with the introduction of a new communication system that is set to transform the way real-time data is transmitted to the surface, ultimately improving mine productivity.
“Back in the 80s, mining went through this revolution with voice communication,” said David Ballantyne, vice-president of product development.
“Within five years every mine in the world installed it. Our system is going to do the same for digital networking.”
One of the biggest challenges facing the mining industry is declining productivity.
Studies suggest digital innovation could solve the productivity challenge. But when it comes to underground mining, real-time data transmission, especially in the last mile to surface, is the most challenging to convert.
As the world’s only Gigabit network over coaxial cable, the Plexus PowerNet™ Communication Network solves that and a number of underground challenges.
The system can be installed, terminated and maintained by any electrician without special tools or training. It provides both Gigabit data and power to end point devices over the same cable resulting in dramatic installation savings.
Maestro’s technology replaces delicate fibre optic cables in the last mile while providing the same high bandwidth functionality.
Maestro’s technology is already in demand.
Canada’s Barrick Gold is installing the Plexus PowerNet™ Communication Network at its Cortez Mine in Nevada.
Barrick, the world’s most valuable gold miner, recently signed a deal with CISCO Systems Inc. to bring the latest digital technology to its global mining operations, starting with its Cortez mine. Maestro will be part of the mining giant’s evolution.
Vice-president of sales and marketing Michael Gribbons said he expects the new digital product to double sales revenue within the next year as more mining companies follow Barrick and step into the digital era.
“We went from a manual mining technique to mechanized mining,” Gribbons said reflecting on the last century of mining. “The next phase of mining will use technology to operate autonomous vehicles, control multiple rock breakers from surface, locate and exchange data from key assets in real time and other high band width applications. This is already happening at many modern mines – even a few within our own city.”
Gribbons added: “Every industry outside mining has made significant productivity gains using technology; at the moment they are adapting a lot quicker than mines.”
However, there are some trailblazers in the mining industry; those companies that have already partnered with tech companies to improve safety and productivity.
For example, mining equipment and construction equipment manufacturer Komatsu has partnered with General Electric to help it incorporate technology. Implementing digital technical has enabled Dundee Precious Metals to double production in four years and cut costs in half.
“Utilizing the Plexus PowerNet™ Communication Network, any mine can now afford the Digital-Mine-of-the-Future today,” said Gribbons “The Plexus can be quickly integrated into both greenfield and brownfield mines to allow gains in both worker safety and productivity.”
In December 2016, Maestro was recognized with an Outstanding Achievement in Commercialization at the Ultra-Deep Mining Network’s second annual symposium for commercial success of its digital gas sensors used on their Vigilante AQS™ Air Quality Stations.
