Cannington Mine

ControlPED

AutoPED

BlastPED Receiver/Exploder

BlastPED Receiver Integrated with Cap Lamp Battery

BLASTING,FAN CONTROL & PERSONAL PAGING – ALL WITH PED

MINE: CANNINGTON MINE
OWNER: BHP BILLITON
TYPE: LEAD/SILVER DEPOSIT
LOCATION: 200KM SE OF MT ISA, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

BACKGROUND

BHPB’s Cannington mine installed a PED System initially for remote blasting, personal communication and emergency warning. ControlPEDs have now been installed to remotely operate the fans from the existing PED Transmission system. This means Cannington are now using the full range of PED system receivers, and hence are receiving even better cost benefits then their original justification was based on.

COMPOSITION

Transmission System with 3km surface loop antenna 305 BeltPED Personal Receivers 30 AutoPED Vehicle Receivers 6 BlastPED Remote Blasting Receivers 9 ControlPEDs for fans

DESCRIPTION

A surface antenna with a diameter of 475 meters provides coverage to the whole underground development. Depth of the mine is 575 meters (1900ft). The transmitter is located at the winding shaft and is connected to the main computer via a radio link. PED complements the leaky feeder radio system and provides a total solution to the mines requirements.

JUSTIFICATION

BHP Billiton originally justified the system on the improved safety benefits of remote blasting and also on the PEDs inherent ability to be used as a reliable mine wide warning system. The combination of BeltPEDs and AutoPEDs ensure ALL personnel are contactable, at ALL times. The BlastPED system removed the need for the mine to install a mains firing system (with all its inherent problems). And now the use of ControlPEDs offer an economic means of controlling fans prior to, and after, blasting.