Coverage gaps
Radio dead spots exist in deep pits, behind spoil heaps and at remote sites.
Connecting Mine Teams Across Wide Operational Areas
Connect teams across a wide and changing mining operation.
Overview
Mines cover large areas, and teams move between pits, plants, workshops and remote infrastructure. Push-to-talk over the mine's networks keeps everyone connected with one-button group calls, emergency alerts and location, wherever they work.
Why This Matters
Many mines use analogue or digital radio networks that leave dead spots in deep pits, behind spoil heaps and at remote pumping stations. Contractors often use different radios on different channels, so coordination between teams is difficult. In an emergency, it is hard to reach everyone at once or know where people are. Push-to-talk on rugged phones can use private LTE, Wi-Fi and public cellular networks, and can bridge to existing radios, so every team is on one system without replacing what already works.
How It Works in Practice
During a blast preparation at an open-pit mine, the blasting supervisor uses push-to-talk to broadcast the clearance warning to every talk group in the pit at once: drill crews, haul truck operators, contractors and security. Supervisors confirm clearance from their sections over PTT, and the control room sees on the map that no devices remain inside the exclusion zone. After the blast, the all-clear is broadcast the same way. Later that day, an operator at a remote pump station triggers an emergency alert, and the control room locates him immediately.
The challenge
Why communication across a mine is hard.
Fragmented teams
Contractors and departments use different radios and channels.
Slow broadcast in emergencies
Reaching every team at once for blasts or evacuations is difficult.
Unknown locations
Controllers cannot see where people are when they call.
Operational flow
How it works, step by step.
01
Assess networks
Map private LTE, Wi-Fi, cellular and radio coverage across the mine.
02
Equip
Issue rugged phones with push-to-talk to employees and contractors.
03
Organise groups
Create talk groups by section, role and contractor, plus mine-wide broadcast.
04
Bridge radios
Connect existing radio channels so both systems can talk.
05
Respond
Use emergency alerts, broadcast and location for blasts and incidents.
What operations can see
- Users and groups
- Location where enabled
- Emergency alerts
- Operational group structure
- Recorded communications where required
- Cross-team coordination
Operational impact
- Improve communication across distributed work areas
- Create groups around functions, shifts or incidents
- Connect mobile teams and control positions
- Reduce dependence on repeated calls
- Support operational and emergency communication on the same managed platform
Who it's for
For mines that need everyone on one channel.
Open-pit mines
Connect drill, haul, plant and contractor teams across the pit.
Underground mines
Use underground networks for PTT, alerts and location.
Mining contractors
Join the mine's communication system without separate radios.
Mine control rooms
Broadcast, locate and record across the whole operation.
Insight
Keeping the Loop Closed
Push-to-talk gives the mine one communication system that reaches every team. Blasts and evacuations are coordinated faster, contractors are included, and every emergency call carries a location. Existing radios keep working, so the change can be phased in.
This use case is particularly relevant to Mining environments, but the underlying operating model can also apply wherever distributed frontline teams, vehicles, assets or facilities need stronger visibility and accountability.
Mining Lone Worker SafetyIncident CoordinationCommunication Recording
Explore Mission-Critical Communications
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does push-to-talk work on a mine's private LTE network?
Yes. Push-to-talk over cellular works on private LTE, Wi-Fi and public mobile networks, and can roam between them.
Can push-to-talk connect to existing mine radios?
Yes. Gateways connect radio channels to push-to-talk talk groups, so radio and phone users can talk to each other.
Can push-to-talk broadcast to the whole mine?
Yes. Broadcast groups let supervisors or the control room reach every user at once, which is useful for blasts and evacuations.
Are rugged phones suitable for PTT in mines?
Yes. Rugged phones with dedicated PTT buttons, loud speakers and glove-friendly controls are designed for these conditions.
The goal is to make frontline activity visible, actionable and accountable across the operation.
Tell us how your operation runs today and we'll show you what this looks like for your teams.