Underground Communications Infrastructure Guidelines Workgroup

Transcription

1 Underground Communications Infrastructure Guidelines Workgroup

2 We are a partner to our customers by providing a complementary suite of advanced mining and industrial technologies with a focus on the design, selection, implementation and support of fit for purpose technologies: We monitor what matters where it matters: By using patented technologies this enables the mines to keep miners and equipment online at the face. These technologies use battery power and the batteries last for years. We are laser focused on underground mining The applications are designed to solve underground mining challenges, we do not adapt surface solutions We solve the immediate, most critical challenges A fast return on investment dictates solving major issues with affordable solutions; start small & grow organically We are backbone independent By being able to piggy back off the mines existing backbone (leaky feeder, fibre, etc.) the mine doesn t need to change their infrastructure to implement any of the applications We are obsessed with simplicity Nuisance alarms are the number one killer of safety systems; to be used it needs to practical, useful and simple

3 Agenda Introduce Underground Communications Infrastructure Guidelines Workgroup Brief review of methodologies and documentation Gather feedback from industry stakeholders The workgroup is established to benefit the industry as a whole, and the benefits will be much greater if we have greater participation, so we encourage you, the industry leaders to continue to participate and assist the group in gaining additional members in workgroup

4 Introduction Underground Mine Communications Infrastructure Changing Environment of Underground Mining Lower commodities prices due to unstable markets Increasing costs of materials and labor (including productivity) Challenge of keeping skilled miners and engineers Stronger pressures on cost containment and reduction Need to maintain high levels of safety Dramatic shifts in the processes and systems used in underground mining Changing Role of Technology in Underground Mining The Drive for Greater Efficiency Autonomous Systems (Remote Vehicle Control, Virtual-Augmented Reality, Remote Detonation) Greater reliance on application-driven solutions (Dispatch, Fuel Control, MES, etc.) Asset Predictive Maintenance Systems (Vehicle Health Telemetry, etc.) Human Safety (Human Tracking, Video Surveillance, Proximity Warning, etc.) From the Rock Face to the Endpoint - The need for real-time analytics and reporting of mine activities back to corporate management create greater complexities in the networks

5 Introduction Underground Mine Communications Infrastructure The Digital Investment Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) are merging faster - how must we manage the change? Treat IT & OT more like power, air and water since they will be as critical in meeting deadlines and cost targets All mine systems and communications are going digital analog systems can no longer be sustained The surface & underground communications are a critical part of the productivity & safety process A need for a single digital communications backbone supporting a standard protocol companies can no longer afford to sustain multiple proprietary networks underground Communications Technology costs must be embedded in the Life of Mine plan beginning at the feasibility stage Cybersecurity is needed to help mitigate safety and performance risks

6 Mandate: Global mining collaboration on solutions to common industry problems, needs & technology through standards, guidelines & best practices. Regulators Researchers Mining Companies OEMs OTMs Academia Service Providers Standards Organizations

7 Workgroup Charter Purpose: to develop a formal document set to be used by the mining industry as a reference for the frameworks, standards, processes and procedures supporting digital communications in an underground mine environment. Primary Objectives: Simplicity of design Simplicity of implementation and installation Ease of support Good expansion capability and flexibility Ease of use for the end user or endpoint device Reliability, resiliency and redundancy Security

8 Workgroup Charter Goals Create a set of 4 documents which: o Provide an overview of the services and supporting technology required in each phase of the mine lifecycle. o List best practices and recommendations for installing the communications infrastructure. o List the frameworks and standards currently in use for developing and maintaining the infrastructure. Key Audience Mine Planners Technical Services teams Mine Construction teams Mine Operations Managers Mine Operations Maintenance & Instrumentation External Engineering firms (construction projects) Underground Mine Solutions Vendors

9 Workgroup Charter Advantages Help non-it personnel to better understand basic communications requirements during the planning, construction and production phases of the underground mine. Provide a standard reference between mine staff, engineering consultants and solutions vendors when planning new underground mine communications systems or maintaining existing ones. Help to identify the communications assets needed to support current and future mine technologies. Documents in Development: Updated Milestones: Status: Mine Lifecycle Diagram November 3, 2015 Final Draft Completed Business Requirements February 17, 2016 Final Draft in Progress Guidelines Document April 15, 2016 Initial Draft in Progress White Paper June 10, 2016 To be Developed

10 Practical Application Examples Situation: South African - Underground - Hard Rock - Caving Operation Challenge: Limited resources (People and time) to collect data. Inconsistent / non complying data capture data quality and reliability Irregular data capture rates. Data loss in between sample Solution: o Continuous communication from instrumentation to control room on surface o Configured control parameters and alerts Outcome: Improved resolution and quality of data lead to improved accuracy of the geotechnical model Improved automated data capture reduced resource time allocation. Improved understanding of rock movement during blasting lead increase rate of advance Improved decision making agility lead to optimized and dynamic ground support decisions Reduction in risk exposure due to improved alarm notification in real time

11 Practical Application Examples Situation: North American - Underground - Hard Rock Gold Mine Challenge: Fixed delay in initial post blast re-entry activity Solution: o Real-time remote monitoring of gas levels post blast o Environmental monitoring in closer proximity to the blast area Outcome: Improved resolution of gas levels lead to reduction in re-entry times (approximately 30min per shift) Improved re-entry times lead to increased production rates Due to the proximity of the gas sensor to the blast area this lead to a reduction in personnel risk exposure

12 Practical Application Examples Situation: North African - Underground - Hard Rock Gold Mine Challenge: Multiple proprietary networks serving multiple disciplines Complex infrastructure design and maintenance Solution: o Holistic data management requirement o Integration and optimization of network infrastructure Outcome: Critical review of data requirements and technology selection for each discipline lead to optimized network design Reduction in infrastructure requirements means a reduction in cost of CAPEX Improved infrastructure installation lead times, lead to improved data quality Reduced number of networks lead to lead to reduction in implementation and maintenance resource requirement.

13 Practical Example Applying the Tools Situation: A mine planner is trying to determine what needs to be evaluated and developed for underground digital communications. Challenge: Where do I start How do my operational requirements compare with communication requirements How do I interface with the IT and OT department Solution: o Review the diagram to better understand the high level digital communications requirements for the relevant phase of the underground mine lifecycle. o Then, use the Business Requirements worksheets to identify the types of mine services required in that lifecycle phase, along with the types of support systems and services required to deploy those mine services. o Then, go to the guidelines document to better understand the general guidelines for designing and deploying the underground communications systems, and what standards/specifications that are normally used to accomplish this work.

14 Mine Lifecycle Diagram

15 Business Requirements Document Purpose: o Provide underground mine planners, engineers, architects, operators and vendors with a set of checklists o Checklist is focused on digital communications architecture: High level planning Design Sustainability tasks and requirements o The checklists are used for reference purposes during different stages

16 Revision: Lifecycle Stage: Country: Province/State: Advanced Exploration Underground Mine Communications Infrastructure Business Requirements-High Level Checklist Date: Sponsor: Description: Field Exploration, Core Drilling, Portal development for ore sampling underground, etc. Services Supported: 1 (Remote Access) 2 Geology Tool Applications (Drillhole data, Sampling, Modeling, Geostatistics ) 3 CAE & GIS Applications 4 Telephone 5 Backoffice Applications (Microsoft Office, Autocad, etc.) 6 Underground Voice Communications 7 Mandatory Requirements: Description Date: Initials: Comments: Telephony Key/PBX system Internet Service (Satellite, DSL, cable modem, etc.) Data File Storage/File Server Firewall Layer3 Ethernet Switch File Backup System User computers 2-way Radio System, Digital VHF/UHF Define a minimum bandwidth requirement For locally saved files (e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint) Coordinate with IT to meet standards Coordinate with IT to meet standards Hard Disk Drive, Tape Drive, Cloud Service Define with IT and HR for count & standards Interfaces with the campus IT network Custom Requirements: Description Select One Required Rejected Potential Need Initials: Comments: Field Laptop/Notepad computer, Tablet, Smartphone Portable Satellite Phone w/ Data Port Per geologist or kiosks Field and site Disaster/Emergency use Site Office WAN Optimization Appliance User computers Cellular Coverage (Edge, 3G, 4G) Printer(s) Battery backup services for critical systems Wireless Network (WIFI)-internal offices Wireless Network (WIFI)-outdoor campus Fax Services (machine or network application) Remotely-accessed applications Video Conferencing equipment e.g. Admin Office, Project staff trailers, etc. Coordinate with IT to meet standards Coordinate with IT to meet standards Identify local cellular providers Direct cable or Network Computer, telephone, etc. Coordinate with IT to meet standards Coordinate with IT to meet standards Coordinate with IT to meet standards Managed at a corporate or regional level Coordinate with IT to meet standards

17 Guidelines Document Purpose: o Provide consistent structure, framework and format for development and maintenance of digital communications within the underground mine environment o Provide the interconnectivity to the underground and between the corporate IT infrastructure and industrial technology networks Benefits: Improve compatibility between technology vendor and equipment and systems Reduce cost by allowing the use of competitive products which support open standards Increase productivity by gaining competitive advantage of cutting edge technology Improve safety through better systems and solutions integration in hazardous environments Better adherence to compliance requirements by improving systems and services which support human safety, occupational safety and governmental controls

18 TABLE OF CONTENTS Revision & Sign-off Sheet... 2 Table of contents Overview Scope & Definition Physical Environment Virtual Environment Demarcations Wireless Methods Underground Mine Communications Guidelines and Best Practices General Topology Campus Specifications Plant & Mine Specifications (Open Pit & Underground) Industrial & Information Technology Integration General Items... 15

19 4. International Specifications & Standards Standards Organizations Group 1 Ethernet Equipment Specifications & Protocols Ethernet Routing & Switching Hardware (802.3) Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Controllers and Access Point Hardware (802.11) Other Wireless Specifications Group 2 Telemetry & Other Communications Standards & Formats Two-Way Dual-band (UHF/VHF) Digital Radio Leaky Feeder Radio Frequency Identification Technique (RFID) Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANET) ZigBee Wireless Sensor Network Solution (based on standard) International Rock Excavation Data Exchange Standard (IREDES)... 22

20 5. Appendix Industrial Applications Smart-Device Vendor Listing Corporate & Industrial VLAN Assignments Information Technology vs. Operational Technology Network Example... 25

21 Discussions & Questions To be a part of the workgroup please contact the GMSG through the website or a local contact for questions or comments please contact: Kevin Ramsay Kevin@Ramjack.co.za