Underground Mine Communications

Wireless communication has emerged as an independent discipline in the past decades. Everything from cellular voice telephony to wireless data transmission using wireless sensor networks has profoundly impacted the safety, production, and productivity of industries and our lifestyle as well. After a decade of exponential growth, the wireless industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Therefore, it would be an injustice if the wireless communication is not explored for mining industry. Underground mines, which are characterized by their tough working conditions and hazardous environments, require fool-proof mine-wide communication systems for smooth functioning of mine workings and ensuring better safety. Proper and re- able communication systems not only save the machine breakdown time but also help in immediate passing of messages from the vicinity of underground working area to the surface for day-to-day normal mining operations as well as for speedy rescue operations in case of disaster. Therefore, a reliable and effective commu- cation system is an essential requisite for safe working, and maintaining requisite production and productivity of underground mines. Most of the existing systems generally available in underground mines are based on line (wired) communication principle, hence these are unable to withstand in the disaster conditions and dif?cult to deploy in inaccessible places. Therefore, wireless communication is an indispe- able, reliable, and convenient system and essential in case of day-to-day normal duty or disaster situations.

Underground Mining Methods presents the latest principles and techniques in use today. Reflecting the international and diverse nature of the industry, a series of mining case studies is presented covering the commodity range from iron ore to diamonds extracted by operations located in all corners of the world. Industry experts have contributed 77 chapters. This book is certain to become a standard for every practicing mining engineer and student alike. Sections include: General Mine Design Considerations, Room-and-Pillar Mining of Hard Rock/Soft Rock, Longwall Mining of Hard Rock, Shrinkage Stoping, Sublevel Stoping, Cut-and-Fill Mining, Sublevel Caving, Panel Caving, Foundations for Design, and Underground Mining Looks to the Future.