The system will be installed later this month and will be the second installation of ActiveMine, which recently underwent a successful demonstration at another major underground coal mine in Illinois.
“The Consol demonstration will further show mine operators and regulators that ActiveMine meets their tough standards for safety and operating efficiency," president and CEO of Active Control Technology Steve Barrett said.
Recent mine disasters at Sago, Alma, Darby, Quecreek, and Jim Walter Resources’ No. 5 mine highlighted the need for emergency communications between underground mine workers and personnel outside the mine.
Under the MINER Act of 2006, mining companies must have wireless two-way communication systems and equip each miner with an electronic tracking device within three years.
ActiveMine is designed to improve underground mining safety and enhance operating efficiencies through wireless, real-time electronic tracking of personnel and equipment, and robust two-way voice communications with each miner.
“The system's 100 percent wireless network architecture makes it easy to install and extend as the mine face advances, while significantly reducing maintenance costs arising from the frequent mechanical damage suffered by traditional hard-wired mine communication networks,” the company said.
