The new specialised Wi-Fi network RCT Connect – developed by RCT – is the first ever mining communications system created specifically to support all underground autonomous mining equipment.
RCT Connect is truly flexible in that it is designed to engage with any third-party systems and can even enhance the performance of any mining automation and control solutions available on the market.
Since the network’s launch in 2019 it has been deployed into multiple active mines around the world and it has generated strong and positive feedback from site personnel.
RCT Automation and Control Product Manager Brendon Cullen said RCT Connect is the best underground communications network option available.
“The system is inexpensive and very user friendly so it can be set up quite easily by mine site technicians who do not need specialised training in order to establish and maintain this technology,” he said.
“RCT Connect is designed to be agnostic and so can integrate with all of the commercially available automation and control solutions offered by global manufacturers.”
“The network is designed to deliver very stable performance and low, consistent latency between operator stations in secure, remote locations and the machine located in production areas.”
Customers will be able to cheaply scale RCT Connect to suit their needs as their underground mining operation evolves.
The network can be adjusted to suit various tramming distances and can ensure effective machine operation over shorter runs as well as longer runs.
Mr Cullen said one key aspect of RCT Connect is its smart roaming feature which is always searching for new wireless access points as underground mining equipment auto trams between certain locations.
“Many commercially available communications networks are configured to access certain nodes for too long and as mobile mining equipment continues to traverse a site it can result in communication failures,” he said.
RCT believes in pushing the boundaries of the traditional ways of doing things and as a result, it has remained cutting edge since its establishment in the 1970s.
In recent times the mining industry has recently undergone significant changes as it embraces and leverages automation and digital technologies to streamline efficiencies to increase productivity, safety and significantly reduce costs.
RCT has been there, every step of the way and as a result, it has released its own Interoperability statement.
“The statement is necessary in today’s digital world as the demand for data continues to grow significantly as clients look towards analytics and systems to process, analyse, interpret and convert to the desired information,” said RCT’s Mining and Resources Product Manager, Mick Tanner
It outlines how RCT’s systems will communicate within this digital sphere in order to adhere to data privacy and ensure safety within this space. Available on RCT’s website, it covers data accessibility, fleet data compatibility, data privacy and protection.
RCT’s EarthTrack® data and information product range is its highly interoperable solution that will deliver clients relevant information. This information system will do so by retaining systems original character and integrity without compromising the safety of other systems.
“The term Interoperability means the ability of a system to work with or use the parts of equipment of another system,” he added.
Although Interoperability is the latest buzzword, RCT has long held the philosophy of ensuring that its systems have always been able to integrate with client’s existing infrastructure seamlessly.
“As an independent technology supplier, this has always been our point of difference from the OEM’s systems,” said Tanner.
“RCT’s systems can integrate with any machine, regardless of make and model. Also, within any mine’s communications network and infrastructure and with any other systems; sharing critical information without compromising safety and system functionality.".