PARTNERSHIP: Jannatec joins Ultra-Deep Mining Network

SUDBURY, Ontario - Jannatec Technologies, developer of fully connected, wearable gear that that will improve the health of the miners as they go deeper underground, has joined the Ultra-Deep Mining Network (UDMN).

The UDMN is a $46 million business led NCE network and is supported by members of the mining, oil & gas, industries, with the active participation of small-to-medium sized enterprises, industry agencies, research facilities and academia. The goal of the UDMN is to help the mining industry develop and implement commercially viable research and development projects that result in the deployment of proven innovative technologies. In 2014, the Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) program awarded the Network $15 million.

Through this network there are four strategic themes:

• Rock stress risk reduction to improve stability in deep underground excavations;
• Energy reduction (the 40% mine) to reduce energy consumption of deep mines;
• Novel methods of material transport and productivity to increase the rates of development and production in mines; and
• Improved human health to enhance the human environment in deep mines.

Jannatec Technologies will be working with UDMN on two projects that fall under the improved human health theme. The first project is the wearable communication system which will incorporate underground high speed wireless communication system, plus tracking options, collision avoidance, proximity detection assistance, and data management. The second underground project is the personal thermal management system, which will have the capabilities of biofeedback, and the ability to communicate human factors. The system will also be capable of tracking human-environmental interactions, and have the capacity of cooling.

President and co-founder Wayne Ablitt said, “The assistance that we are receiving from our partners at UDMN is giving Jannatec the capability of expanding its research and development program. This will allow us to achieve our goals and bring product to the market in a more timely fashion to meet the needs of the mining community. This will also give us the capacity to expand our operations with the necessary staffing and equipment requirements. Jannatec Technologies has committed over $5 million over the next 36 months to achieve these goals. Our firm is expanding its research and development lab to a new 420-m³ facility, which will allow us to be the innovators in the Canadian and global market. Our commitment is to develop product in our local market and manufacture it in our local market.”

Managing director of UDMN Bora Ugurgel reflects on the importance of collaboration, “UDMN leverages collaborative and dedicated networked solution teams of leading experts in achieving innovations for the global mining industry within the ultra-deep mining environment. The approach is that of a joint business model where all members contribute to the cost and benefit from the network’s successes, with the goal for driving innovative solutions and making deep mining fiscally viable for the future. Ultimately, the UDMN will lead the way for commercially viable innovations and build capacity by delivering new technologies and increasing sector competitiveness for network members in Canada and across the global mining industry.”

Visit Jannatec.com for more ideas on improving safety and efficiency.