Hytera Provides Reliable and Professional Support to Nantou Zinc Mine
In phase one, Ameritel International Wireless recommended and installed a 4-channel Hytera DMR system...
Background
Burkina Faso, a West African country near the
Sahara, is considered one of the most underdeveloped countries by a lack
of natural resources. However, gold production has increased by 32% in
2011 in six gold mines, making it the fourth largest gold producer in
Africa after South Africa, Mali and Ghana. Hytera and Hytera partner in
Burkina Faso International Wireless Ameritel have been directly involved
in helping to solve some of the challenges faced by the Nantou Zinc
Mine in Burkina Faso to Glencore International AG of Switzerland, owner
of several mines worldwide.
Challenges
Located in the
north of Burkina Faso where the greatest threat to normalcy is safety,
the largest challenge for Nantou Zinc Mine was the insecure social
environment. Therefore, they needed an effective communication system
they could rely on to protect the international travelers visiting or
working on the mine sites. Besides, they also had geographical
challenges. Burkina Faso borders in the north with the Sahara where is
very dry and the mines are underground, so several geological studies
were required as part of the process to ensure good communications.
In
order to provide two-way radio coverage between the surface
(approximately 15 Km radius) and underground mining facility, the Nantou
zinc mine wanted to establish a 4-channel radio communication system so
that their operators, engineers and mining experts could communicate
with the various services on the ground.
Solutions
The Nantou
mine was built in a curved line, much like a ‘S’, and at each bend, an
enclave was built using gigantic caverns. These bends created blind
spots and, consequently, further difficulties related to the project. In
order to avoid signal loss, Ameritel installed switches every 100
meters for signal regeneration, assuring uninterrupted communications
between the site surface and all parts of the tunnel.
In phase
one, Ameritel International Wireless recommended and installed a
4-channel Hytera DMR system, linking two RD98X repeaters from the
surface via a wireless data system to six other RD98X repeaters inside
the tunnel, which allowed them to obtain very clear seamless
communications to 300 meters inside the tunnel.
Finally, 32 RD98X repeaters, 20 PD70X portable radios with DMR system were installed when the project was completed.
Benefits
Nantou
chose Hytera DMR system without any hesitation when they wanted to
build a more secure and reliable communication network, because they
understood that the products offered by Hytera guaranteed the smooth
running of the event.
During the whole project, Hytera and its
partner Ameritel International Wireless provided reliable and
professional support to customer. Equipped with Hytera DMR system,
Nantou could still use the existing analog equipments by other
manufacturers, which they already owned.
Now workers in the
tunnel, cranes, bulldozers, dumpers and in the fields feel more secure
with the application of efficient Hytera system. It’s inspiring that all
seven mines operating in Burkina Faso are now using Hytera radio
equipments.
Voice from Customer
"This system is being
used with twenty PD70X portable digital radios and the end users are
very happy with the overall performance of the system. Further expansion
of the system is planned in the future."
—Rob Smith Perkoa, Project Manager, Nantou Mining Burkina Faso SA
Source: Hytera
