Smart Wireless Connectivity for Underground Mining

Challenge

Underground mines face unique wireless connectivity challenges. Wi-Fi signals cannot bend around corners, making it difficult to maintain consistent coverage in tunnels with sharp turns or thick rock walls. This results in frequent signal dropouts, dead zones, and unreliable communication that compromise:

• Worker     safety (limited voice/data communication in critical zones)
• Operational     efficiency (operational efficiency – downtime of automated equipment     and IoT sensors)
• Infrastructure     costs (excess access points, cabling, and repeaters required for     partial coverage)

Canadian mining operations in Val-d’Or and Nunavik Nickel facilities experienced these issues firsthand, particularly with mobile equipment like jumbo drills that advance into newly created headings where Wi-Fi coverage fails.

Solution: LATYS FOCUS Intelligent Antennas

LATYS FOCUS was developed as a smart, external antenna that enhances existing Wi-Fi infrastructure. Using intelligent beam-steering technology, LATYS FOCUS captures, concentrates, and redirects wireless signals exactly where they are needed—even around 90-degree tunnel turns.

Key features:

• Plug-and-play installation: Deployed in less than 30 minutes, no cables or complex configuration required
• Signal amplification: Delivers up to 18× stronger Wi-Fi coverage with gains of +10 to +12 dB
• Battery-friendly  operation: Consumes less than 5 W per unit - enabling long-lasting battery use
• Flexible design: Easily repositioned as mine layouts evolve
• Protocol-agnostic: Supports Wi-Fi, 4G, and 5G without introducing interference or additional licensing needs

Deployment: Nunavik Nickel & Canadian Royalties Mines

LATYS FOCUS was tested and deployed in underground facilities at Val-d’Or and Nunavik Nickel (Canadian Royalties).

Val-d’Or:
The main challenge was maintaining a reliable connection to a forward-moving drill navigating 90-degree tunnel turns. LATYS FOCUS “bent” the signal around corners, eliminating dead zones and keeping real-time data streaming from the drill to monitoring stations.

Nunavik Nickel (Canadian Royalties):
Ten units were deployed across tunnels, warehouses, and control rooms. The system extended coverage from camp to site warehouses (indoors ↔ outdoors), proving robust performance even under harsh conditions.

Results

The deployments produced measurable improvements.

Coverage gaps, which previously caused multiple dead zones, were completely eliminated.

Signal strength increased by 10–12 dB, and connection reliability jumped from 65% uptime to 98% uptime.

Deployment time was reduced from three days to less than one, while battery consumption per unit dropped from around 40 W to under 5 W.
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Operators reported smoother communication, uninterrupted IoT sensor data flow, and reliable remote control of equipment. Coverage maps confirmed the elimination of weak channels, demonstrating uniform, high-quality connectivity across extended areas.

Conclusion

LATYS FOCUS has proven to be a game-changer for underground mining operations. By intelligently directing and amplifying Wi-Fi signals, it enables consistent coverage in areas where traditional solutions fail. Its low power use, ease of deployment, and scalability reduce operational costs while improving worker safety, equipment efficiency, and real-time decision-making.
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In short, LATYS FOCUS doesn’t just provide connectivity—it delivers a future-ready communications backbone that supports digital transformation in mining.

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