Energy efficient wireless infrastructure solution for open pit mine

An open pit mine can provide a harsh and extreme environment with a continuously changing landscape. The mine area tends to grow and increase in size day-by-day because of continuous excavation. Operating the mine under these circumstances in an efficient and optimized manner is always a challenge. In this paper, we present the typical physical characteristics of an open pit mine, the different wireless communication solutions that are being deployed in these mines today for operational purposes. We further discuss a zonal wireless infrastructure solution that can provide a much more efficient communication solution. The solution is based on dividing the mine into a number of manageable zones, such that the wireless infrastructure assets within these zones are enabled whenever there is an operational requirement. The zonal based solution will result in an energy efficient deployment and also provide improved operational efficiency. The recommended solution has been further illustrated with a mining example.