The Background
SMW Gold is an exploration and mining company dedicated to the development of economically extractable, multi-million ounce gold deposits in Egypt. SMW is reopening the ancient Al Fawakhir gold mine in the Eastern Desert. Gold mining at the site goes back 5,000 years to the time of the Pharaohs, but the last period of operations ceased in 1952.
The Al Fawakhir site is extremely isolated without access to electric power supplies, Internet or radio communications. But to operate efficiently and safely it is essential the mine has robust and reliable communications at all times. To ensure this, SMW Gold needs to implement a communications network at the site of the gold mine. The network is required to provide coverage from the mine all the way to the port city of El Qosier on the Red Sea coast.
The Challenge
The first challenge is to set up a radio network at the remote mining site in the desert and then install coverage in stages along the route to El Qosier. The physical challenges are considerable. The RF signal has to cope with a changing topography, as the terrain is very mountainous in places. Mountains range in height from 70m to 650m, which makes RF design difficult, as the mountains often block the signal.
The climate conditions are very harsh with cold winters and blazing hot summers when temperatures can reach above 45°C. This limits effective working hours as the high temperatures mean the radio network implementation team can only work at night and in the early morning. Despite this, the team had to work in the daytime regardless of the conditions to ensure the project is finished within the agreed deadline.
Finally, all the SMW Gold staff have to be equipped with robust and reliable portable radios, while the vehicles have to be fitted with mobile radios and vehicle antennas.
The Solution
Middle East for Trading Team, a local Hytera distributor and dealer, was contracted to undertake the radio project. The proposal was to create a network based on Hytera RD98XS DMR 100W repeaters, MD78XC DMR mobile and fixed station radios, and TC-780 analog hand portable radios. The DMR repeaters and mobile radios can operate in both analog and digital mode, so they can communicate with the TC-780 analog portable terminals.
In the first stage of the project, Middle East for Trading Team’s six engineers took about three days to set up the first installation, which they then tested and checked regularly. The second stage involved implementing some changes to optimize the setup and ensure everything was working well.
They installed two radio towers, the first of which was a 15m-high transmission tower, while the second was an 18m-high receiving tower. The RD985S 100W repeaters proved very effective in helping to widen the coverage range.
The team also installed mobile radios and vehicle antennas on four vehicles. The latter were quite challenging to fix. The mobile radios installed inside the cars enable the SMW Gold staff to communicate easily with colleagues as they travel about within the perimeter of the mining area.
The Middle East for Trading Team provided the SMW Gold staff responsible for the radio system and terminals with training and detailed instructions on how to regularly inspect and care for the products, especially in terms of ensuring keeping the equipment and radios free of dust.
The Benefits
Reliable Radio Communications In Remote Area
The Hytera two-way radio solution provides SMW Gold with a rugged and robust communications network not just in a very remote area, but also in an extremely harsh environment as well.
Adapting To Local Conditions And Regulations
The Middle East for Trading Team ensures that all Hytera products are adapted to local regulations and radio frequencies. For example, the team made sure the RD98XS 100W repeaters had the correct 2pcs power supply installed, so that the deadlines for the project were not compromised. This helps increase the customer’s trust in the company and its technical team, and in the Hytera brand.
After Sales Support
Hytera and Middle East for Trading Team provide SMW Gold with professional after sales service which ensures seamless customer experience. In addition, the Middle East for Trading Team also provides regular inspections of all the Hytera products and solutions despite the isolation of the Al Fawakhir mine and the harsh conditions.
Continued Network Expansion
Hytera and Middle East for Trading Team will be responsible for the whole project and will implement radio coverage from the mine all the way to El Qosier on the coast in a stage-by-stage rollout.
