There are many difficult and dangerous businesses and industries that help support our civilization, none more fraught with peril than mining. Every year, thousands of workers put their lives on the line to find and recover the basic materials that keep the wheels of industry turning. The key to their safety and to continued high levels of production is communication.
Two way communication technology for the mining industry has come a long way over the past decades, and is today both powerful and reliable. The environment for this work is typically outdoors or underground, two locations that are traditionally tough on equipment.
One excellent solution for this communications problem is an outdoor wireless intercom system, one that is particularly designed and built to withstand environmental extremes while still delivering high quality audio. The nature of the terrain involves often precludes the installation of cables or other infrastructure, so the wireless solution is invaluable. It allows surface workers to stay in touch with those laboring far underground, whether for routine tasks or in case of emergency.
A MURS multi-mile base wireless intercom is another excellent solution for keeping everyone working on a far-flung mine site in touch. It is capable of addressing a wide range of communication devices, ranging from handheld walkie-talkie types to callboxes or other base stations. One of these units could be installed on each level of the facility, as well as at all gates and access points. Special noisy location handsets that are designed to work with these base stations are also available.
The combination of these two proven solutions gives an exceptionally powerful and flexible setup. The superintendent or General Manager can be in touch with anyone at any level, quickly and easily, allowing orders to be given, reports to be received and emergency activities to be rapidly coordinated.
Maximum production is always the goal of any mine installation – but it can never be at the expense of employee safety. The design and specification of a communications system is a key consideration when beginning any sort of mining operations, just as important as assaying the value of the ore found, the transportation in and out of the site, and the many other aspects required before the first shovel of dirt is turned over. A consultation with a communications professional prior to beginning work is strongly advised, and is money well spent in assuring a safe, productive work environment.