Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Project Profile
ADT Security helps deliver an effective way of implementing access policies, checking authorisation and checking worker location – all in a way that keeps movement in and out of the mine simple and efficient.
Site:
Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver mine, Mount Isa
Client:
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines
Project commenced:
2006
Business unit:
ADT Security
Located in the mineral rich provence of Mount Isa in North West Queensland, Xstrata’s operations include two underground mines delivering 5.8 million tonnes of ore per annum.The Enterprise copper mine is Australia’s deepest mine; the internal shaft reaches a depth of 1,900 metres.
Underground mines require the very best safety, security and access control systems available. It’s essential to know where employees and contractors are at all times. ADT Security upgraded the existing access system at Xstrata’s underground copper mine operations in Mount Isa to make this information widely available, while delivering other significant benefits.
“The access control upgrade was part of our continual review and improvement of safety related systems. Making sure only authorised people have access to specified areas is important for both safety and security,” said Mount Isa Mines Emergency and Protective Services Superintendent, Darren Bracey.
“At all times, it is essential to know thelocation of all employees and contractors, particularly if they are above or below ground. In the event of an incident, this becomes critical. ADT Security worked with our team at Mount Isa to apply a complex integrated solution, that is an effective way of implementing access policies, checking authorisation and checking worker location – all in a way that keeps movement in and out of the mine simple and efficient” he said.
Xstrata is committed to a ‘zero harm’ approach. Working safely with controlled methods is away of life at Xstrata Mount Isa Mines. The access control upgrade was a part of the mine’s continual review and improvement of safety related systems.
Proven practices go electronic
Manual ‘key tag’ systems, where miners placea tag on a board when entering the mine and remove it when leaving, are an effective way to account for people and have been used for decades. However, new electronic systems serve that function but can also provide more detail than simply when workers are above or below ground.
ADT Security offers Xstrata Mount Isa Mines confidence that their security needs are being looked after by a security partner with proven expertise.
Electronic swipe cards and associated readers now control worker access across the mine. Whenever a worker enters a cage to underground, or passes through a gate to another area of the mine, they swipe their card to indicate where they are going. The intelligent access management software keeps a record of all movements so the location of each employee can be viewed on-line in real time.This information is available on multiple workstations to anyone with access to thesystem, giving an immediate head count in thecase of a mine incident.
Access limited to authorised persons Making sure only properly authorised people are in specified areas is important for both security and safety. Contractors performing occasional work can now be easily given access to the areas they work in while being restricted from others, with time of day control if required. The access system has inbuilt intelligence to match authorisation levels to access areas. It can also display worker location by team, supervisor, job function or other parameters.
The system is particularly valuable prior to blasting events or in the case of an emergency. It’s a simple matter to check that all workers are either on the surface or in a designated safe area before the blast procedure is initiated, eliminating costly misfires and reducing the timeit takes to account for all personnel.
Card reader locations were chosen to provide useful access information without impeding movement. Readers are installed on cage platforms, crib rooms and access ways such as the portal. Underground mines are an extreme environment and provide unique challenges for sensitive electronic equipment and the card readers are robustly designed and capable of handling dust and dirt.
A fully integrated Solution
ADT Security worked with the existing Cardax Commander system that had been used on site for some years providing basic access control. Upgrading to Cardax FT, a Windows based system, delivered new capabilities without requiring a complete refit. Connectivity with existing IT infrastructure, along with the integration of fire, environmental and other warning systems, was an important feature. Extending the existing system kept learning time to a minimum and the intelligent card readers allowed the existing cards to continue being used.
Optimising Performance
ADT Security has numerous dedicated on site staff at the mine who routinely maintain the system, continually optimising performance. If any fault occurs, ADT quickly identify and undertake corrective actions to rectify and prevent recurrence.
- Home Security:
- Retail:
- Commercial:
- Segment Specialists:
© Copyright 2013 ADT Services AG. All Rights Reserved.