Newmont deploys Exalt to support gold mining operations

The Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM), a global gold mining producer, announced today a deployment of Exalt microwave backhaul systems to support operations at Newmont’s Phoenix mine near Battle Mountain, Nev.
The 200 megabit-per-second (Mbps) Ethernet backhaul is planned to link transport mine control and operational through an extended communications network.
“Our safe production depends on the fast and reliable flow of control and monitoring information throughout our facility,” said Al Smith, senior communications technician at Newmont.
At the Phoenix mine, Newmont worked with KNS Communications of Denver, Colo., to plan and install Exalt microwave backhaul systems. The Exalt systems plan to operate on a 200 Mbps Ethernet backbone that delivers computer-aided dispatch, traffic management, and inventory tracking information to radio systems on board each of the trucks, drills, shovels, loaders, and other equipment at the mine. The Exalt systems also carry video surveillance, IP telephony, power usage monitoring, and other information from mine facilities to the site office, and provide a backup link for a fiber connection to another Newmont office 59 miles away in Carlin, Nev.
“Mines represent enormous commitments of capital and resources, but productivity is affected if the control and information network goes down,” said Amir Zoufonoun, president and CEO of Exalt Communications.
The new deployment is in addition to other deployments of Exalt systems at Newmont operations in Australia, Ghana, Indonesia, and others in the United States.