Minetec, a division of Codan, has introduced ELF™ II (Ethernet-over-Leaky Feeder), a software-defined communications infrastructure providing high speed data throughput and capacity for underground mining communications management and operations. Data throughput has been increased from 20 to more than 60 MB/s in ELF II surpassing conventional systems by more than three times the speed, Minetec says. “The increased data throughput [addresses] the needs of complex mining operations to support high data rate applications from the working face to the rest of the mine, including but not limited to video, SCADA, telemetry and mine management applications,” said Andy Sheppard, executive general manager, Minetec.

“The ELF II infrastructure has been operating successfully in commissioned systems and is now available to the broader mining community.”

A number of mines worldwide have commissioned ELF II in South America, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Australia. “All new Minetec customers will receive the ELF II infrastructure moving forward, and existing Minetec customers can upgrade to the new software-defined architecture,” added Sheppard.

The Minetec ELF II supports full voice, Ethernet and IP-based connectivity over previously installed leaky feeder-based, voice communication systems. It is able to provide seamless upgrade over these systems through ‘swap & drop’, Power-on-Equipment (POE) and advanced diagnostics capabilities. It can also interface to fibre-optic and RF-based technologies through its Access Point (AP) capabilities. In addition to integration with third-party technologies, ELF II coupled with powerful mining applications developed by Minetec are rapidly becoming a standard in mining operation including SMARTS™, SafeDetect ™ and the Trax+Tags™ II tracking system. Together, these Minetec solutions provide a comprehensive, enterprise-wide solution for underground mining operations.