South African company ensures Polish mine safety
August 2002
News
Pretoria-based company, Q-Kon, has engineered and exported a production monitoring system for use in safety control at a Polish coalmine. The mobile sensor technology means that realtime data on time, location and status can be used for the effective control required to optimise production on the mine.
Monitoring for the miners works via a radio tag, installed into every miner's battery pack. The tag, or transponder, is activated as soon as a miner picks up his battery pack and moves from the room where all packs are stored. No miner is allowed underground without his battery pack.
There are fixed signal points at strategic places around the mine and underground, which activate the tagged battery pack each time the miner passes one. A signal from the miner's pack is sent to the central data control room showing precisely which point the miner has just passed. Each miner's movements can therefore be monitored and his position ascertained in the event of a rock fall or blasting procedures.
"We had to take account, when engineering the system," said Riaan van den Berg, systems engineer at Q-Kon, "of the fact that wearers could be moving very fast past a control point, or could be bunched together at debussing points such as the cages travelling underground."
Tracking of the vehicles is done via the MineTrak monitoring system, installed in each cab. As the vehicle passes a weigh station, a signal from the MineTrak activates the data transmission, sending the position and the usage of the vehicles to a central control point.
The mechanics of these monitors and tags had to be robust in order to withstand the tough mining conditions in which they are being used. The advanced data transmission capabilities of the Q-Kon data radio enables direct integration of the radio with the central monitoring equipment. This method of safety control has already been successfully implemented by Q-Kon in several South African mines. The picture shows a MineTrak monitoring point at a Polish coalmine.
For more information: Dirk Staal, Q-Kon, 012 665 0052, [email protected]
Further reading:
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...
Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment
News
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an
Read more...
Bearings International fosters dynamic customer partnerships
News
Bearings International has consistently set the benchmarks in innovation and excellence as a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission and interconnected mechanical consumables that sustainably facilitate and optimise operations for mining and industrial customers across Southern Africa.
Read more...
Innomotics and Danfoss Drives strengthen partnership to deliver comprehensive motor and drive solutions
News
Innomotics and Danfoss Drives have announced the next phase of their strategic, non-exclusive partnership. This collaboration is designed to meet the growing demand for comprehensive motor and drive solutions, ensuring customers receive high-quality, efficient and compatible products
Read more...
Africa’s industrial revolution accelerates
News
As Africa undergoes a rapid industrial transformation, AATF Connect 2025 emerges as the premier platform to showcase innovation, drive collaboration, and spark discussions that will shape the continent’s industrial future.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: A good servant and a bad master
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
In our new AI-generated world it was inevitable that the Nobel Committee would have noticed. And last November two pioneers of artificial intelligence, John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, won the Nobel Prize
...
Read more...
Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment
Festo South Africa
News
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an exciting future.
Read more...
German Chancellor visits Beckhoff at Hannover Messe
Beckhoff Automation
News
As part of the traditional Hannover Messe opening tour, Federal Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz visited German company, Beckhoff Automation. Hans Beckhoff, managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation, presented his company and its comprehensive expertise in the field of software and AI.
Read more...
Iritron celebrates 25 years of excellence
Iritron
News
When Iritron, a leading provider of engineering and industrial solutions was founded in 2000, it was on the principles of exceptional service and lasting part-nerships. Today, Iritron has grown from a small team of four into a company of over 120 employees, serving clients across South Africa and beyond.
Read more...
A racing partnership
SKF South Africa
News
In one of motorsport’s most demanding arenas, a partnership forged in engineering precision and high-performance ambition has proven its worth. SKF, a global leader in bearing technology and innovation, celebrated a remarkable milestone in partnership with SVR Toyota GAZOO Racing, taking second position overall at the 2025 Dakar Rally.
Read more...
printer friendly version