Published: June 14, 2011 |

[Click image to enlarge]

[Click image to enlarge]

Since 1975, American Mine Research (AMR) has been supporting the mining industry’s need for enhanced safety through the use of ground continuity monitors and control electronics. They have more than 30,000 circuits of the pilotless monitor in operation throughout the world and offer a variety of products, from environmental monitors to data acquisition systems to vacuum-operated circuit breakers.

In 2009, AMR received MSHA approval on the final component of its Mine Net Wireless Tagging, Tracking and Communication System for use in underground mines. During this time, AMR was aware of the upcoming rules from MSHA regarding wireless units for underground communications and put its engineering department in full force to get the product ready for the market. 

AMR is no stranger to MSHA approvals. Their products are MSHA approved where applicable. AMR has been field testing its newest version of the equipment in an idle mine near their Rocky Gap, Va. location.

“We’re very excited about this new generation of our tagging and tracking system,” said Bob Saxton, AMR General Manager. “We’ve taken the time we needed to design this system based on what the companies need and want.  We have asked for and received input from various coal companies to assist us in the design.”

“The Mine Net™ Mesh system can use the communication device to place calls to individuals underground, on the surface or to individuals at home.  The system has been tested up to 4,000 feet underground in 45 inches of coal.  We have had excellent coverage from these nodes in these conditions,” Saxton added.

As for the new design, it is smaller, has different nodes and antennas, is lighter in weight and does not have as much hardware as 2009’s version. In addition, Mine Net™ Mesh System is fully adaptable to different frequencies, mine heights and conditions. The new system is user-friendly and has added voice as a means of communication for both production and emergencies. It is a completely wireless, node-based communication and tracking system enhanced with voice capability, phone texting or push-to-talk communication.

Mine Net™ Mesh System functionality and features:

•  AMR’s Mine Net™ Mesh system is a completely wireless node-based communication and tracking system using IEEE 802.11 technology for the wireless interface.  The AMR Access Points (AP’s) use 802.11 b/g with data rates up to 100 Mbps on the wireless interface.

•  The AMR Mine Net™ Mesh access points have a selectable RF power output range of 0 – 30 dBm (up to 1 watt), and optional network modes including: Bridging, NAT Gateway, Static routing, and Dynamic routing.  Security options include Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), and 802.1x encryption types.


•  Options allow for server based or 802.11 WMM based quality of Service (QoS) for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication.


•  The Mine Net™ Mesh access points can be configured with a 2.4 GHz frequency for client devices (handset, laptop, tablet or other 802.11 devices) and 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz for backhaul communication.


•  The frequency selection for backhaul communication may be based on the frequency that propagates best for a given mine.  These frequency options take advantage of existing 802.11 devices while maximizing frequency propagation for the specific environment.


•  Mine Net™ Mesh access points can be configured for point to point, point to multipoint and mesh network topologies.  In addition, the access points have an Ethernet interface providing backhaul and redundancy options as well as a power over Ethernet option.


•  The Mine Net™ Mesh system can be deployed as a standalone communication and tracking system or interfaced with a PBX to allow connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).


•  The Mine Net™ Mesh handsets provide voice and text communication, an external speaker, and a headset jack.  The handsets support full duplex and push-to-talk voice options.  The push-to-talk options allow for broadcast calls and call groups.


•  Tracking options include handset based location services and tag based tracking with tracking resolution that far exceeds MSHA requirements.


•  Power options for the Mine Net™ Mesh access points include a standalone battery power option as well as a battery with trickle charge line power option.

For more information:

Contact: Bob Saxton, General Manager

Phone: 276-928-1712, ext. 237

E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

To stop by AMR’s website, CLICK HERE