The IECex approval, suitable for NSW coal operations, was achieved in early March. Reports are currently being reviewed by a local test authority for the radios’ use in Queensland coal operations.
The radios enable miners to communicate underground either directly (point-to-point) or over Becker’s already approved leaky feeder system. The radios provide voice communications and have a number of features, such as messaging, emergency calls, man-down and multiple channel support.
The unit is the only approved two way UHF/VHF radio available in Australia and is the culmination of two years of work by Becker NCS parent company Becker Mining Systems.
Underground coal mine operator and consultant Brian Nicholls said the personal radio system would enable coal miners and supervisors to communicate in real time and on a number of different radio channels.
“The improvements in safety and emergency issues due to a constant and immediate communication around the mine operations should not be underestimated,” Nicholls said.
“Similarly, the potential efficiency gains in the mining operations will be enormous.”
Nicholls said personnel in the various operating business units, including longwall, development, services, maintenance and more, would be able to be in constant and immediate contact over their operational, maintenance, supply or organisational needs.
“The personal mobile phone system is finally here for use in our underground coal mines. It has to be one of the most important steps toward substantial safety and efficiency gains to be introduced into our operations in many years.
“My only regret is that this system was not available when I was running major longwall coal mines during the past 20 years,” he said.
Becker said several operations were eager to utilise the new radio and its leaky feeder solution. The company said the technology did not rely on potting to achieve intrinsic safety, ensuring the weight was kept to a minimum and performance was not affected.
Becker’s leaky feeder system is already in widespread use throughout the Australian and international hard rock mining industry, including major coal mining countries.
While Becker will offer both UHF and VHF technology, the company said the recommended UHF variant provided superior performance over VHF technology, including clarity of voice communications, greater transmission distance in the underground environment and higher data rates.
“The use of modern design techniques and components, along with UHF transmissions, overcomes previous limitations that IS radio systems suffered. This has been conclusively proven in markets such as the USA,” Becker said.
Becker also has a fully approved tagging system, including an approved tag reader and various tag configurations.
