MSHA Approval for Underground Digital Network

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Mine Site Technologies’ ImPact Digital Network has been approved by MSHA for use in underground coal mines in the United States

Mine Site Technologies’ ImPact Digital Network has been approved by MSHA (Approval Number 23-A00003-0) for use in underground coal mines in the United States, and is listed as meeting the requirements of Communications & Tracking for the MINER Act 2006.

Already extensively deployed in hard rock mines and in fresh air (intakes airways) applications in coal mines, the approval will allow the underground Wi-Fi network to be extended into the gassy zones and working faces in coal mines. Most important, it will allow the completion of a number of installations throughout the US where the ImPact communication and underground tracking system has been selected to meet the requirements of MSHA’s Miner Act 2006.

The ImPact Wi-Fi network forms the communication backbone for MST’s MinePhone to provide two-way voice and texting along the primary and secondary escapeways underground. The MinePhone is a VoIP telephone handset allows private dialling between other phones in the network and the mine’s outside telephone system. Additionally, the MInePhone has 24 channels, Push-to-Talk functionality and Emergency Calling. The MinePhone is in the final stages of approval with MSHA.

The Wireless Network Switches (WNS) that form a key part of this digital backbone also act as readers for Wi-Fi RFID Tags that are carried by miners underground.

Both the MinePhone and ImPact Digital Network are finalizing coal mine certification in Australia.

News Source : MSHA Approval for Underground Digital Network