As the operations of the manganese extraction are completed in these areas, the access

tunnels are closed off with large steel doors and demarcated as restricted areas to prevent

further access and illegal mining activities.

 

Miners are entering into these tunnels and mining the deposits of sugilite. This poses two

problems for the mine. The first and foremost being the most important, as the illegal activities

could trigger a rockfall or collapse of the tunnels rendering the mine unsafe. This would

force closure of the mine for health and risk reasons at great expense to the company due to

disruption of the mining opreation until the effected areas are stabilised.

 

Secondary to this client are not in possession of a mining concession for the sugilite and

therefore it has no commercial value to them. The illegally mined is sold to unscrupulous dealers

outside of the mine where it is shipped to the Far East where it has a spiritual and mystical

value.

 

THE SOLUTION :

SeekerDNA after performing a detailed risk analysis of the situation proposed a 2 phase

solution which was accepted by the client

 

PHASE 1 : A custom prepared sprayable DNA/UV solution has been used in the restricted

areas to coat the sugilite veins as well as the small tunnels that are used to access the four

restricted areas. Tools and apparatus (such as ladders) which have been found in these areas

have been marked with a DNA/UV gel. Each restricted area has it’s own UV colour marking for

quick identification purposes.

 

A underground reaction has been deployed into the mine equipped with UV torches to

identify any personnel that have come into contact with either the spray-able or gel solution.

Personnel on their return to the surface enter a tunnel which is fitted with big beam UV lights

to enable a visual check by security staff (with recorded CCTV) before personnel leave the

mining area.

 

An ongoing awareness campaign has also been implemented which is included in the

client's induction and on-boarding sessions to make personnel and sub-contractors aware of

the usage of the SeekerDNA product. All management, trade unions have also been advised

of the use of SeekerDNA. This usage has also been as well as being included into the employment

contracts for employees and HR policies.

SeekerDNA signage has also been placed in strategic places both in above and below

ground points.

 

PHASE 2 : This phase consists of the integration of Mistguard units into the new security system

monitoring the main entrances to the four restricted areas. The Mistguard units can either be

fired manually by security or set to activate when a breach is detected via the radar and Infra-

Red systems.

 

The completion of services and wi-fi network access in the mine is proving to take longer

expected, but once completed the Mistguard system will be installed and integrated into the

security system. The Mistguard system proposed has built in redundancy to allow for any failures

and also to allow for multiple firings.