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AeroScout has announced that Xstrata Coal is using its technology to increase worker safety at Beltana Mine in Australia, which is reported to be the country's most productive longwall coal mine.

At the mine, AeroScout's Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tags have been built into cap lamps from Mine Site Technologies, which all workers at Beltana wear when underground. These tags enable Beltana to accurately track the real-time location of every worker, and can be used to automate the mustering process in case of an emergency.

The mine is also using AeroScout's technology to track underground vehicles to more efficiently manage its fleet and to control vehicle access into ventilation districts. Knowing the accurate real-time location of each of these vehicles facilitates better fleet management and enables Xstrata to streamline vehicle access into ventilation districts.

The same Wi-Fi network is also used for Wi-Fi-enabled communications equipment, such as VoIP telephones, which can be implemented when IS approvals are achieved on the VoIP hand set.

All of Beltana Coal Mine's workers wear Integrated Communications Cap Lamps (ICCL) from Mine Site whenever they are underground. Mine Site has integrated AeroScout's active RFID tags into the battery packs of the ICCL cap lamps, enabling their location to be tracked over the mine's Wi-Fi network.

The real-time location of every worker can be viewed on a map using AeroScout MobileView software, which also enables users to search for the location of specific workers at any given time.

In the event of an emergency, AeroScout's solution can also be used to automate the muster process, ensuring that all workers in the mine are quickly and accurately accounted for at specific refuge points.

For additional information:
·  Visit AeroScout at http://www.aeroscout.com
·  Visit Mine Site at http://www.minesite.com.au

Sources: AeroScout Inc.; Mine Site Technologies