This project saw the design, configuration, deployment and installation for a Autonomous Haulage System wireless mesh project located at Fortescue Metals Group's Solomon Mine.
Technology enabled solutions
The future of the resources sector is in fully integrated, operational and automated system enabling technologies.
Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) and Caterpillar awarded Ventia the design, configuration, deployment and installation contract for the Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) wireless mesh project located at Fortescue Metals Group's Solomon Mine in the Hamersley Ranges north of Tom Price, Western Australia.
Delivering impressive productivity gains
The wireless mesh network ensures that the Autonomous Haulage System delivers a safe and efficient optimisation of the fleet of mining equipment, with Ventia overseeing the ongoing operations and maintenance of the wireless mesh network. Ventia have provisioned an onsite communications network including backbone microwave, power, access microwave, towers, IP networking, wireless and trailers, to support the Caterpillar Minestar System. A wireless mesh network covers the mine to enable software to run the most comprehensively integrated mine operations and mobile equipment management system available in the market and features. Fortescue Metals Group recently reported a 20% productivity gain in operations due to the Autonomous Haulage System, compared with regular fleet.
Highlights
The network included the following characteristics:
- Highly available Core Network to be used for backhaul infrastructure of the mine;
- Highly available 802.11 'Wi-Fi' wireless mesh network infrastructure;
- Network management and monitoring systems; and
- Following the provisioning of the network, Ventia provides the ongoing operations and maintenance.
