Active Control Technology Inc. announced the first US federal regulatory approval of ActiveMineTM, the premier wireless communications and locating system for mines.
The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has approved ActiveMine's RFID Wi-Fi Tags as intrinsically safe. The RFID Wi-Fi tags are a key component of the system that enable accurate and real-time tracking of people and assets and also offer auxiliary two-way messaging capability.
"Today ActiveMine has completed a major milestone to full US regulatory approval," said Steve Barrett, President and CEO, Active Control. "Mine operators now have another solid reason to place ActiveMine at the top of their list for communications and tracking systems."
The active RFID Wi-Fi Tags, which can be carried by people or attached to high-value mobile mining assets, can be tracked within a Wi-Fi coverage area. Unlike most other tracking systems that require a separate network of hardware readers or gates to determine the location of tags, ActiveMine's RFID Tags require no additional network hardware overlay.
Active Control has previously submitted applications for MSHA approval of the other key ActiveMine components - the system's wireless mesh node modules and wireless telephones. Approval of the wireless mesh nodes is expected soon, to be followed by approval of the telephones.
MSHA approves mining equipment as 'intrinsically safe,' i.e. to not create a spark or thermal ignition of methane or coal dust in coal mines. This is required for equipment used in areas of underground coal mines where such conditions may occur, but is not needed for most base metal and precious metal surface and underground mines. Some current ActiveMine purchase orders are subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approval by MSHA.
ActiveMine is already installed and operating in non-gassy sections of two underground coal mines located in West Virginia, the leading US coal mining state. The system was certified in June 2007 for sale in West Virginia by the state's Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training.
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