Convergent radio communications for Koniambo

Motorola proposed, designed, installed and commissioned a 400 MHz Dimetra IP system across three sites, a Point-to-Multipoint high performance wireless broadband network operating at 5.4Ghz for localised (last-mile) connectivity, and a PTP600 Point-to-Point high performance wireless broadband solution to interconnect the sites and support both the Dimetra IP and Canopy Point-to-Multipoint data systems.
It is a cost effective solution combining both technologies for data and voice communications, providing a critical system for the smooth running of the mine, metallurgical and power plant complex.
New Caledonia, located in the southwest Pacific Ocean approximately 1,200 kilometres east of Australia, has significant topographical challenges which the Motorola solution was able to overcome.
The mine is about 930 meters above sea level and is several kilometres from the plant itself, altogether a distance of about 17 kilometres, over which is needed excellent data and radio communications.
Owned 49 per cent by Xstrata Nickel and 51 per cent by New Caledonian joint venture partner Société Minière du Sud Pacifique, Koniambo will be among the world’s lowest cost producers of nickel. First ore is expected to be processed in 2012 and the mine is predicted to have a life in excess of 25 years.
Early construction activity commenced at the Koniambo Project in February 2007 to establish site access, construction infrastructure and utilities in advance of the main construction effort.
“Because we are in the preliminary phase it was essential to provide the contractors and our construction team with immediate access to both data and radio communications,” said Sylvain Picard, systems and automation manager of the Koniambo Nickel Project.
“The solution had to be simple and quick to deploy. We had a timeframe of eight months, March to October, and we finished on time,” said Sylvain.
The three towers covering the site for the radio are also acting as the antennae for the Canopy (wireless solution), therefore there is no doubling up on infrastructure, an important cost saving.
Another advantage with this kind of dual infrastructure is the very fast deployment of communication services for the users. On occasions same day service could be executed.
“With our systems a contractor or construction office can have phone and internet connection in a day. This way a contractor can be rapidly operational and focus on his work package. For instance, exchanging technical documentation, data for analysis and submitting timesheets to head office are amongst the workforce’s primary needs,” said Picard.
While mobile phones can work in some mines they aren’t really appropriate for Koniambo, and the ruggedness of portable radios is more suited to this environment. It is anticipated that there will be from 200 up to 700 users in peak construction periods.
The mobile radio interconnects with the base station which connects to the VoIP phone system, offering telephone services on one device.
“Talking on the radio is crystal clear; it is just like talking on the main phone system. Also lots of radio features are visual to the users. To that extent it is like a mobile phone but with much better reception,” said Picard.
There were many challenges on the Koniambo site, not least because it is a French Overseas territory, therefore all the regulatory approvals for the site works were consistent with European regulations and the population is primarily French speaking.
Additionally, the weather and the mountainous terrain made life difficult as far as actually installing the equipment. Sitting above the Tropic of Capricorn, the tropical rain would turn the dirt tracks to mud and even four wheel drive vehicles were of little use.
Sylvain commented that as one of the first contractors in place, Motorola did an excellent job in managing the logistics, some of which could have potentially been problematic.
“The Motorola solution is a first rate mix of technologies for the early development stage of this mine…and even once there is firm infrastructure in place, wireless will be an excellent back up solution,” he said.