SouthGobi Sands (SGS), a coal mining operator in Mongolia, wanted to replace its aging analog two-way radio network with a modern digital system able to provide comprehensive coverage across the company’s 85km² area of operations. The new system had to be able to support seven key talk groups and provide better audio. Hytera implemented a DMR network across the seven main areas of operation connected by IP technology to increase operational efficiency and improve worker safety.
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User
SouthGobi Sands LLC -
Project Time
2024 -
Market Segment
Mining -
Product
HR1068 DMR Repeaters
HR658 DMR Repeaters
HM788 DMR Fixed and Mobile Radios
HM658 DMR Mobile Radios
HP608 DMR Portable Radios
BP568 DMR Portable Radios
Challenge
The Ovoot Tolgoi mine previously used analog radios for its communications, but as the plant expanded many problems emerged. The analog radio network was no longer able to provide coverage across the entire mine sites and the audio quality was poor. Another problem was that the analog devices only had a short service life and were easily prone to damage, which meant constant repairs and replacements had to be arranged.
SGS wanted to replace the old analog radio system with a modern digital network. However, during the migration process, SGS was keen to prolong the use of its current analog radio system and gradually upgrade and replace them in phases. This meant the new digital radio network had to be able to interconnect with the existing analog radio network during the migration period.
The new digital radio system had to provide coverage across the entire 85km² mining site. The site is divided in to seven separate coverage areas: Sunset (18km²); the workshop buildings (15km²); Sunrise 1 (18km²); Sunrise 2 (16km²); the CHF buildings (12km²); the mining camp area (12km²); and the actual coal extraction pits (12km²).
Six call groups were required.The Sunrise call group covers all the talk groups. All the call groups can be connected by the emergency group. The other five groups are each focused on their own particular coverage area.
Solutions
Hytera was selected as the sole supplier to install a DMR IP connection network, which will support SGS's digital transformation. Hytera provided a Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) IP connection solution comprising its HR1068 ultra-thin DMR repeaters, HR658 compact DMR repeaters, HM788 DMR fixed and mobile radios, HM658 DMR mobile radios, HP608 DMR portable radios, and BP568 DMR portable radios. Hytera also provided coverage simulation, RF planning and channel planning services.
The customer chose Hytera's DMR multi-sites IP connection solution to solve the signal coverage problem and channel capacity issues, along with its ability to meet the wide-ranging call needs of its multiple sites and departments. The DMR radios support individual, group, broadcast, emergency, priority, and direct calls between radios, so they are highly versatile.
Two 32 meters radio towers were constructed, one at the Sunrise pit and the other at the Sunset pit. Both are powered by solar power technology, with all radio equipment operating on 12–24 volts DC. Portable repeaters, switches, and antennas were placed at the edge of the mine and at the edge of the coal stockpile. The two CHF (Coal Handling Facility) buildings and the workshop building are 30 meters high, while the mine camp building is 20 meters high. The antennas will be installed on these buildings.
About SouthGobi Sands (SGS)
SouthGobi Sands LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian mining company SouthGobi Resources Ltd, is one of the largest coal producers in Mongolia. The coal is mostly supplied to customers in China. SGS’s flagship Ovoot Tolgoi coal mine is located in the South Gobi Province, 46km north of the China-Mongolia border. It has two distinct coal mining pits, the Sunrise and Sunset pits. Mining in such a remote area is a high risk activity, so a reliable mission critical radio communications network is essential to ensure worker safety and to deliver operational efficiency.
“Thanks to Hytera's DMR technology, we can now work with total safety. We made it as an excellent choice to guarantee efficiency and safety in crucial settings like our mining.”
Ravindra Atmakuri, Head of SouthGobi Resources Ltd. IT and Radio Communication Division.
Benefits
Comprehensive Coverage
The SGS mines now have a digital radio communication system, which ensures reliable communications among the seven sites. This helps deliver more efficient operations, better productivity, and enhanced safety working conditions for mining personnel.
Better Audio Quality
The digital radios deliver better audio quality thanks to AI noise cancellation technology, so they are able to cope with the noisy conditions at the mines, as well as providing wider coverage to ensure there are no communication ‘blind spots’.
Rugged, Durable Terminals
The rugged radio terminals provide a good long-term investment as they are highly durable and able to withstand harsh environments, high, humid temperatures, knocks and drops.
Analog and Digital Support
The Hytera DMR repeaters and terminals are able to support both analog and digital modes of operation, so SGS is able to migrate from its existing analog fleet to the digital one at a time and pace that suits the company.
Improved Efficiency
The comprehensive coverage and ability to support a number of different talk groups delivers enhanced communications, which helps to improve day-to-day operational efficiency and supports faster and more coordinated response times to any incident or emergency.
Enhanced Worker Safety
The new DMR system delivers wide area coverage to ensure no area of the mining operations is in a coverage blind spot. This ensures that help can be quickly summoned if any worker gets into trouble or has an accident.
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