The mining industry relies on geo-remote connectivity experts. Who are these gurus and what do they do?

If you haven't heard the term geo-remote connectivity (GRC), you might be surprised to hear that it plays a key role in the operations of any isolated mining or exploration camp. So, what does it mean?

GRC refers to the satellite connection that provides a communication source to sites not covered by traditional telecommunications. This connection is crucial to enable sites to operate and access data, share files with metropolitan offices and to maintain the health and wellbeing of camp staff. For many sites, the connection is so important that work cannot begin until it has been deployed.

To establish GRC, you will need the input of a specialist, a GRC expert. What is a GRC expert you say? At Orion, we are well placed to answer this as the majority of our staff are GRC specialists and engineers, with a wealth of experience in connecting remote mine camps. No matter the camp coordinates, these GRC gurus will ensure you get the connectivity you need. So, how do these GRC experts go about providing business critical services?

Assessing & implementing the requirements to access connection

GRC experts will first cross your path when scoping out the connectivity requirements of your project. At Orion, this is done in conjunction with the solutions team and takes into account the project location and the existing or required infrastructure.

Geo-remote connectivity and satellite solutions are rapidly evolving and the best connectivity options from 18 months ago are no longer the most attractive route. A GRC expert will be across all of these developments and should consider and propose a current solution that best fits your needs.

With the connectivity proposal signed off, the GRC experts work with the service delivery team to develop the solution and conduct the installation.

Monitoring and optimising connections

Once the engineers have completed the installation, they assume a monitoring and optimising role. At Orion, the GRC engineers are responsible for looking after the satellite hubs and teleports. They have the crucial task of maintaining high performance connectivity.

Beyond this, the GRC experts also need to ensure that the user experience received by customers is of an exceptionally high quality. A good geo-remote connection providing communications for remote locations should offer the best available experience, comparable to that of someone working from a high-rise in the Sydney CBD.

The GRC experts will work hard to ensure this experience is achieved and that what was promised in the original proposal is what is being delivered.

Experimenting with new satellite technology

In addition to planning installations for new customers and maintaining existing connectivity for current clients, GRC experts also need to stay at the forefront of emerging satellite technologies and how they can be used to benefit customers.

At Orion, the GRC experts have been experimenting with software defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) and providing dual fibre links to metropolitan head offices and dual satellite links to remote sites for redundancy purposes.

Want to know more about GRC?

If you are planning a mining project and want to further understand the role GRC plays in operations, download Orion's free guide, When & where you need geo-remote connectivity. The guide includes step-by-step directions to secure GRC for your worksites as well as detailing the variables that may affect cost and deployment.