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’Orand 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).

Diagram of a mining environment with labeled paths, tunnels, and an area marked 'No Network Coverage.' The diagram indicates a Wi-Fi access point location and notes limited network coverage in the mine. There are two photographs: one of a rock explosion site and another of a mine tunnel interior. The text overlay mentions test setup with one Wi-Fi AP and limited coverage.

Tunnels coverage before vs after LATYS FOCUS

A gray industrial electronic enclosure with a blue logo consisting of four quarter circles arranged in a cross pattern.

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.

A diagram of a mining environment showing various underground tunnel layouts, a photo of mined rock, and another of the mine's interior. The diagram highlights Wi-Fi access point location, range extension by LATYS FOCUS, and mentions a test setup with a Wi-Fi AP and range extension for improved network coverage and reliability.
Comparison of Wi-Fi signal heatmaps before and after using Focus, showing increased coverage in yellow and green on the 'After' map

Clear improvement in signal strength, extended connection area.​ 
The absence of red indicates better channel conditions and improved connectivity.​ 
The installation of the LATYS FOCUS in the tunnel at the test point significantly enhanced overall ​network coverage and quality (not just at the test point).

Nunavik Nickel: 
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. 

Comparison of two map visuals displaying signal strength levels at an intersection, with one map showing only access points and the other including focus areas. The maps use color coding from red to green to indicate signal quality, and include a color scale ranging from -85 to +30 dBm.

Results 

The deployments produced measurable improvements: 

Table comparing metrics before and after LATYS focus, including coverage gaps, signal gain, connection reliability, deployment time, and battery consumption.

LATYS FOCUS TFR-1040

Comparison of building Wi-Fi coverage maps showing alternative connectivity layouts. The left map has 6 access points on the building, with gray and yellow shaded areas indicating signal strength. The right map shows the final layout with 6 access points plus 10 focus points, with broader green and yellow coverage and black signal icons. The maps are color-coded based on signal strength, ranging from -85 dBm to -30 dBm, with annotations highlighting coverage percentages and signal quality.

Warehouse/control rooms before vs after LATYS FOCUS

The deployments produced measurable improvements. Coverage gaps, which previously caused multiple dead zones, were 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.  
Operators reported smoother communication, uninterrupted IoT sensor data flow, and reliable remote control of equipment. Coverage maps confirmed the elimination of red zones (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. 

In short, LATYS FOCUS doesn’t just provide connectivity—it delivers a future-ready communications backbone that supports digital transformation in mining.