Offices Get Mobile
Column
By Simon Curran   
Friday, 03 October 2008
smc Satellite Technology - Offices Get Mobile
Mining companies can, today, have access to unique mobile voice and data capabilities to help their workers operate more effectively in the field – improving efficiency, increasing productivity and reducing the time to operation.
As more of the world becomes industrialized, demand for mined products – from aluminum to zinc – is increasing. Coal, with its ability to fuel the global energy boom, is the most mined commodity; while copper, driven by high demand in India and China, accounts for a third of the sector’s revenue.
   
To ensure they remain competitive, companies are seeking ways to exploit more resources in regions where the climate and terrain are hostile, or the political situation is unstable. Exploration is a slow process – typically, up to 10 years can elapse between discovery and the start of mining activity. It is also expensive, and in 2006, mining companies’ exploration costs rose by 30 percent.
   
Mining activity often takes place in remote and inhospitable places. A large number of partners need to keep in contact with each other to work efficiently – from geophysical survey companies and helicopter operators who locate ore deposits, to drilling and construction companies who help develop the mines. When communications between these partners are effective and reliable, mining activity can happen more quickly and efficiently – which is a significant competitive advantage.
   
As the cost and difficulty of extraction increase, mining companies are looking for new solutions to help them work more efficiently, enabling them to find and develop mineral resources more quickly and at a lower cost. Mobile satellite communications can play a significant part in this process by supporting more effective communication – leading to improved decision-making and increased productivity.
   
Satellite services have long been an established part of the communications mix for mining companies operating in areas away from fixed-line and wireless networks.
   
At permanent remote installations, very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite systems are a popular way of providing voice and data services. However, they have several widely recognized drawbacks: They are expensive, require a trained technician to handle the complex installation, and are essentially static systems.
   
Reliability can also be an issue. VSAT will generally work well in clear conditions but, like other high-frequency satellite systems, it can be disrupted by heavy rain.
   
However, a relatively new breed of satellite communications can help individuals and teams in the mining sector work more efficiently and cost-effectively, during exploration and development and when closing mines at the ends of their productive lives.
   
The service is called broadband global area network (BGAN) and enables a true mobile office just about anywhere in the world using rugged, laptop-sized terminals. Anyone from company executives to onsite project managers to miners themselves can make and receive voice calls via satellite from almost any location, while simultaneously running one or more broadband data applications. These new services support all standard office applications, including e-mail, Web browsing, FTP and videoconferencing, enabling anyone to communicate from the field as securely and reliably as they would from the office.
   
A service like BGAN allows mining site managers to take control of the development process. During any development, questions arise on points of protocol or company policy on construction procedures. The reliability of satellite communications gives on-site teams instant access to corporate advisors and best-practice documents to resolve these issues quickly, allowing work to continue without costly delays, which allows precise tracking of goods and vehicles. This means they can deploy resources more effectively and speed up work and increase productivity.
   
Access to a powerful voice and data also allows mining companies to conduct a wide range of business tasks in support of large-scale, multi-user operations in the field. These include sending status reports complete with large image files, planning work schedules and contacting suppliers and contractors. But beyond that, voice and high-speed data communications offer the mining company the ability to:
  • Address an unforeseen problem with speed and a high-quality response using tools such as live videoconferencing;
  • Remotely monitor and protect mining sites, assets and personnel with CCTV cameras; 
  • Prioritize health and safety by ensuring that the remote site is always equipped with a guaranteed voice and data link to the outside world;
  • Reliably back-up to other more standard communication tools used on site; and
  • Contribute to enhancing corporate social responsibility efforts.
   
Mining is among the few industries where reliable mobile communications is not a luxury – it is a vital necessity. Exploration and operations teams conduct dangerous work in some of the most remote parts of the world. Maintaining a constant link is imperative for safety and business reasons.
   
Mining companies can, today, have access to unique mobile voice and data capabilities to help their workers operate more effectively in the field – improving efficiency, increasing productivity and reducing the time to operation. Mobile exploration teams can start working and reporting test results immediately from the field, saving time and money through the rapid transfer of data for analysis. Services like BGAN are ideal for enhancing the operational efficiency of large and disparate work forces, and have a significant role to play in the operation, inspection and maintenance of established mines in remote areas.

Simon Curran is business development manager at Inmarsat. The company has worked in the mobile satellite services industry for more than 30 years. For more information, e-mail Curran at Simon_Curran@inmarsat.com or visit www.inmarsat.com.
 
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