Evaluation of the Black River Mine Telecommunication System

An evaluation was made of one of several improved underground communication systems sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The system was installed in a typical metal-nonmetal, room-and-pillar mine and utilized ultrahigh frequency repeaters connected to a unique distributed antenna and passive reflector system which provided mine-wide communications. A microprocessor controlled data collection system was assembled and installed for the evaluation. Data consisting principally of times and durations of messages and identities of the originating transceivers were collected between February and August of 1982 (6 mos.). Analyses of the data show that the principal benefits are reduction in time required for unscheduled maintenance and repair, enhancement of safety, and better coordination of production activities. A cost benefit analysis shows a net benefit over cost, although it is also concluded that the capacity of the system is greater than can be justified by current activity in the mine.