Mining products supplier PJ Tech believes its traceable cap lamps could contribute to a safer mining industry in South Africa, which has failed to reach the mine safety targets it had set itself a decade ago.
In 2003, the South African mining industry drew up a roadmap to achieve zero fatalities and injuries by 2013.
The Department of Mineral Resources has approved PJ Tech’s Smartlight lamps as being compliant with South African National Standard 1438:2013. Underground mines have until May next year to ensure that all their cap lamps comply with the new, more stringent, standard.
PJ Tech technical manager Peter Nowakowski says the Smartlight 05-M1 cap lamps could “greatly” improve chances of a successful rescue of trapped personnel in an underground mine.
The equipment comprises the latest technology light-emitting diodes cap lamp equipped with a position transmitter, Glon, in the battery pack. The position transmitter helps the rescue team to locate the users of these cap lamps in cases of life threatening emergencies, such as trapped personnel behind a rock fall.
The distance and direction of the users can be located by means of a position receiver, called MinSearch-08. The portable position receiver is able to locate trapped lamp users within a 30 m radius through rock falls.
Nowakowski explains that, once the battery charge designated for providing light is depleted, the position transmitter will still be active for a minimum of another six days and six nights.