Telecommunications company MTN Business intends to increase its operations in the mining sector as the industry continues to use more electronic applications and is gradually increasing its demand for modern methods that simplify mining procedures.

“The mining sector is realising the importance of technology as the world becomes more familiar with digitisation,” says MTN Business segments marketing GM Nomalanga Nkosi.

The company reports it has been working with relevant stakeholders on a solution, which will soon be launched, that will help mining companies comply with the air quality legislation of various African countries. The solution was developed by MTN Business to assist a South African company experiencing challenges in meeting some of the environmental requirements of the Air Quality Act of 2004.

“We installed automated readers at the mine, which helped them to monitor the level of air quality. This helped the company employ the necessary procedures needed to ensure that the required air quality levels were obtained. The simulation proved to be a major success,” Nkosi tells Mining Weekly.

With machine-to-machine communication, which uses the global system for mobile communications and general packet radio service to link remotely located or moving devices, the sensor will be able to monitor air levels by capturing any event that influences air quality. This data is then sent through a network, wired or wireless, to an application that translates the captured event into meaningful information.

Each remote terminal unit on a mine will be programmed to detect any abnormalities in the air and in the event of pollution being detected, an alarm response will be sent by SMS and email to multiple recipients.

This significantly reduces response times, damage or loss to assets, related productivity and revenue losses and pre-empts mine evacuations and equipment failure, preventing downtime.

Another solution, in the devel- opment stage, involves the detection and monitoring of water and electricity leaks. This will help mining companies and other businesses save money on water and electricity, as well as establish nonessential areas for electricity use and maintain consistent consumption levels.

“We piloted this application in a well-known gym that was complaining about its high water bill. The application detected a leak in the piping system which, after being repaired, saved the company money,” says Nkosi.

In addition to its air quality solution, MTN Business says it is making progress in the development of an application that will allow mining companies to conduct prospecting and geological assessments.

“We are currently speak- ing to a major mining applications company. It does look promising at the moment,” says Nkosi.

She believes technology can be beneficial for the mining sector in the future, as information and communication tech- nology broadens mobility options.

“Mining bosses are not always on site or in the office. With such applications linked to mobile devices, information on the state of the project will always be accessible from any location,” concludes Nkosi.

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