The current trend of mechanisation in the global mining industry means that mining companies require information to be transferred conveniently and quickly while saving costs, says communication cables supplier to the mining and construction industries Lonspeare.

“Lonspeare’s blown-fibre technology allows for a large amount of information to be transmitted, downloaded and analysed quickly,” says Lonspeare marketing manager Rob Harrington.

He adds that Lonspeare is the only company worldwide that has introduced blown-fibre technology to the mining industry and made the technology flame retardant.

“The standard fibre currently being used in many mine applica- tions will eventually fade out,” says Lonspeare sales director Bruce Angelo, who adds that mines are positive about the blown-fibre technology, as they can also install various fibres for differing applications, such as CCTV, communication, access control, Scada and control, in the spare tubes at any time.

“Years after installing the blown-fibre tubes, mine owners can change the type of fibre and/or add fibres to the system if they wish. However, once a standard cable is installed and add-ons are required, staff have to pull the cable out, cut it and spend a long time splicing it, making the process expensive and time- consuming,” says Angelo.

He explains that if a blown- fibre tube is broken or damaged, the individual tubes can be cut and fibres spliced or replaced by blowing in a new set, which offers the client flexibility, as it is cost effective and saves time and energy.

Initially, Lonspeare was planning to supply the blown-fibre technology to conventional customers such as campuses and estates, but researched possible mining applications for the technology a few years ago. An in-house team was appointed to research and design suitable technology for the mining environment.

Currently, one of Lonspeare’s biggest blown-fibre clients is a platinum mining major. “All their shaft applications are equipped with Lonspeare’s blown-fibre technology,” says Angelo, who highlights that the technology has become increasingly popular in South African mines, as the industry is always looking for new technology that will improve mining operations.

Projects in Progress
Angelo tells Mining Weekly that a South African gold mining major approached Lonspeare – the company was interested in placing wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems underground. “However, there are some difficulties related to WiFi installation, as another transmitter needs to be placed to pick up the signal each time there is a curve in the mine structure,” says Angelo.

He explains that the technology assists mining operations, as a WiFi signal not only communicates the position of people and equipment but also monitors, measures and controls equipment and communication systems in the mine. “Essentially, mining operations can be controlled on surface through a control centre,” he adds.

The client required several services in one package. Its mining operations required power for the devices, communication to and from the surface site and a backup telephone system, which incorporates fibre, power and telephone cables. “Lonspeare, therefore, created a hybrid cable that contains all these three elements,” he adds.

Further, the client requested a catenary wire, which would enable the company to string the cables. Lonspeare incorporated this fourth element into the hybrid cable. “So far, Lonspeare has sold kilometres of hybrid cable to various mines using the WiFi systems,” says Angelo.

Lonspeare’s hybrid system provides for quicker and easier installation and groups various cables together for convenience.

“The most important thing to consider when it comes to underground mining applications is the ability to communicate with surface level, and Lonspeare offers this,” says Harrington.

Potential in Africa

Angelo believes that, although the potential for blown-fibre technology in the mining industry is likely to shift to other African countries, it will stagnate in South Africa. He says South Africa’s mining history has culminated in union-led strikes and labour unrest, which has led many foreign investors to focus on other African countries, such as Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Harrington highlights Mozambique as one of the countries with the biggest potential for growth in Africa’s mining sector, as it is more politically stable than the DRC.

“However, despite the potential for growth in the DRC and Mozambique, logistics remains a key challenge in these countries, owing to their lack of infrastructure,” says Harrington, adding that the company is nonetheless planning to investigate the possibility of supplying blown-fibre to mines in the DRC and Mozambique.

Challenges

When dealing with various mining companies from different countries, Lonspeare faces time constraints, which can occur when a mine requires a particular cable specification, as well as language barriers.

“Not having a reliable transportation company in foreign countries to assist with cross-border logistics is another challenge, since it adds to the cost of the cables,” says Angelo.

Harrington adds that the South African mining industry could be more focused on teamwork. “If we work together, we can offer consolidated services to clients,” he says, adding that the industry needs to be more competitive, as Lonspeare has noticed that foreign investors from countries such as China are offering competitive products and pricing, as well as on-time delivery.

The company claims that it offers a complete package, including specialised products and add-ons, which distinguishes it from competitors.

Angelo notes that Lonspeare’s suppliers often provide product-specific training for its staff. “On average, we train our staff twice a month.”

He mentions, however, that South Africa has a major problem with skills development and notes that most of the people employed in the industry are older than 50. “There is a shortage of young people in the sector,” he says, adding that Lonspeare is constantly having to train people.
Further, Lonspeare has, in the past, sent some of its staff to college or to training workshops to improve their skills in the industry.

Angelo and Harrington note that, generally, the youth in South Africa prefer to study marketing, law or medicine, rather than practical courses that require physical labour.

“We fear that the shortage of skills in the country will result in an increase in imported skills,” says Angelo, who adds that the education system in South Africa needs to focus on providing students with practical experience, particularly in the engineering field.

Further, Angelo and Harrington point out that there is no employment stability for mineworkers in most mines. “Mineworkers are not showing loyalty to a particular mine. They are more concerned about the amount of money they receive, as well as the amount of work they are required to do,” says Angelo.

He points out that, owing to their respective government’s focus on localisation, other African countries will be more advanced in the mining sector in the next five to ten years.

“South Africa’s mining industry will remain stagnant, as it does not invest enough in developing local skills. Instead, it is increasingly making use of foreign skills,” says Angelo.

He notes that, in other African countries, foreign companies are focusing on the transfer of skills. “South Africa will eventually be left behind in terms of its knowledge base,” he warns.