Active Control Technology has released a major enhancement of ActiveMineTM, a wireless communications and locating system for mines.

The company says it “represents a breakthrough in underground mining communications.”

The new feature, StarfishTM, for the first time makes it possible for miners who become isolated due to an accident, explosion or other event to stay linked, even when they are distant from one another and cut off from the outside world. “We know of no other communication system marketed to the mining community which has this capability,” said Steve Barrett, President and CEO, Active Control.

Starfish technology has operated successfully for over a month in the underground coal mine in West Virginia which was the first commercial sale of the ActiveMine system.

Starfish operates on top of ActiveMine’s 100% wireless Wi-Fi MESH Network, which is formed by a series of nodes placed at strategic locations in the mine. The ActiveMine network has multiple wireless paths that will maintain communication links in the event any node fails or is damaged. With Starfish, even if a node or series of nodes becomes isolated form the main network, voice communications will automatically be re-established within the isolated area. The analogy in nature is that of a starfish: If a starfish’s arm is severed, a complete new starfish is naturally regenerated by the severed section.

This capability is currently not possible with analog walkie-talkie radios used in leaky feeder systems. When these radios lose their network connection (for example, because of a damaged leaky feeder cable), they provide line-of-sight communications to other radios within a few hundred metres. So, miners located across larger area or isolated behind pillars would likely be unable to communicate with one another should a leaky feeder network fail.

By making it possible for miners to find one another and provide mutual assistance, Starfish is particularly valuable for search and rescue operations. Also, as soon as an ActiveMine node in an isolated area 'sees' signal from the main network, communications to the surface will automatically resume.

With the advent of Starfish, ActiveMine wireless mesh networks can now be setup for communications without a 'Head End', where communications system controls are typically located. All that is required are nodes. This is cost-effective for small mines that track underground personnel 'by administration' only and do not require electronic tracking. This capability also enables the deployment of temporary local networks that are ideal for shorter-term activities requiring high quality communication links.

Starfish-enabled local networks can be connected to satellite phones, making it possible for isolated locations such as prospecting camps to have fully digital communications and data network linked to 'the outside world'.

That first ActiveMine sale in West Virginia was to an existing customer that issued a new purchase order to install a basic communications system in a newly opened mine so that the mine would be compliant with safety regulations for communication. The system had been in operation for a full month by the end of April.

A subsequent upgrade will include the ActiveMine real-time electronic tracking feature and an above-ground wireless communication network. ActiveMine will also be integrated into the customer's corporate enterprise voice and data network, headquartered over 80 km away.

The system will be invoiced at $125,000 and represents 20% of the estimated lifetime revenue of this mine plan for the ActiveMine system which would total up to $625,000. This initial order reflects the new mine's size at present, as it is operating with one active face at some 460m underground. The mine plan calls for at least two active faces and several kilometres of underground entries. As the face advances, further revenues will be generated as additional ActiveMine nodes are added to extend the underground Wi-Fi network.

"This installation marks a major milestone not only for Active Control, but also for underground coal mine safety and productivity," said Barrett. "We're delighted with the confidence shown in our technology, and are working hard to close additional sales in the coal and non-coal mining space."