Two-way Radio communications Solutions specialist Lazer Communications partners with Motorola Solutions and installed its Motorola MotoTRBO™ professional digital two-way radio network for leading mining company, Impala Platinum.

Citing a case study on platinum group metals producer Impala Platinum (Implats), Lazer Communications notes that the network is linked to an underground leaky feeder system – which has a long coaxial cable acting as an antenna – and provides a higher capacity for calls and uninterrupted voice and data communications between the shafts and the surface to improve incident response.

Additionally, the network spans 14 base stations linked to four repeaters below ground. Miners use more than a 100 x Motorola DP4xxx series MOTOTRBO™ portable two-way digital radios with TURBOnet and Windows based software applications.

The MOTOTRBO™ technology doubles capacity from one to two talk paths per frequency. The increase in capacity has enabled the mine to designate one talk channel exclusively for emergency use to better safeguard the workforce.

The radios are Ingress Protection 68 compliant to optimize heat, dust, and moisture resistance and withstand the drops and knocks associated with use in a heavy industrial environment.

Further, the radios have an message(sms) system that will allow management to send instructions or job specifications from the dispatch system directly to operators radios. Operators have the option to accept and mark these tasks as complete on their devices, the information will be instantly relayed to the control room.

“We are delighted with the MOTOTRBO digital radio network installed. Safety is our number one concern here and, with the connection to the leaky feeder system, we have the assurance of continuous and excellent quality audio between our teams above and below ground,” Implats Trackless Mining Superintendent, Johan Coetzer reportedly noted.

However, with this network, the company can instantly locate the problem, and is able to send help much faster, while reducing downtime from an average of 2.5 hours to 30 minutes an incident.

Impala Platinum has a service level agreement with Lazer Communications than ensures a long term working relationship between the companies, enhancing the sustainability of the Communications network.