Modern Mining August 2017

PRODUCT News

Booyco Ya Batho enables mines to communicate

Du Plessis says that an in-depth under- standing of how communications systems can be configured in challenging operat- ing environments is what sets Booyco Ya Batho apart in the mining industry. “We believe that for the local mining industry it is a major advantage to be able to leverage off local expertise and have access to communications systems and products that are capable of meeting the challenges within the underground min- ing environment,” he says. “It can be confusing when confronted with the technology and jargon used by communications network configura-

Communication within a mining operation is critical to the safety of the people and underpins the mining operation; however, in underground mining this is seldom a case of one-system-fits-all. Don du Plessis, General Manager of Booyco Ya Batho, says that for this type of communications network to be effective and reliable it has to be configured to the site-specific requirements. Historically, complete imported com- munications systems have not met all the legislated requirements and, in many instances, while not performing as antici- pated, these were also expensive.

tion companies, and it is not always easy to make an informed decision. We work very closely with our customers to assist them in understanding what technology is available and what exactly it can do for an operation.” The first step would be for Booyco Ya Batho to conduct an in-depth survey of the area in which the communications system would need to function. This, according to du Plessis, would allow for the network to be configured in such a manner so as to eliminate those areas where communication is not necessary, such as mined out areas. “When a one-size-fits-all communi- cations solution is applied, this type of in-depth assessment is not done and these types of communications solutions could weaken and create unnecessary interfer- ence,” du Plessis cautions. “By doing an in-depth survey of the communications requirements, it is possi- ble to optimise the RF propagation without sacrificing on the reliability or performance of the network. And this will eliminate the situation where the communications net- work has been over-engineered for the need at hand,” he says. Understanding propagation patterns is regional manager responsible for the area and the balance of personnel are all Motswana nationals. The camp has been operated for the past four-and-a-half years under the Servest Botswana banner. BelServest Facilities Management Bot­ swana is a full-service facilities management company which is majority-owned by a

Wireless mesh links over a distance of 1,2 km are possible in a mining environment.

Contract to run Jwaneng mine camp awarded BelServest has partneredwith Servest Camp Management Services, a highly experienced provider of camp management services for mining, construction and energy projects in Southern Africa. The company has been awarded a three-year contract by Debswana for its Jwaneng Diamond Mine Camp.

upgrade and expansion project, it is antici- pated that this will grow to around 210 personnel within the next 18 months. A comprehensive project to upgrade the accommodation, and dining, kitchen and recreation facilities of the Jwaneng mine residents’ village started in November 2016 and will be completed by August 2019. BelServest employs one expatriate

Motswana citizens group. Servest, website: www.servest.co.za

BelServest will employ around 180 per- sonnel, and with a future planned camp

56  MODERN MINING  August 2017