Maestro digital mine.

• Author: Stradiotto, Laura
• Position: Mining Companies to Watch

As the global mining industry embraces digital technology and enters a new phase of development, a Sudbury-based company is poised to lead mining companies into the digital era.

Over the past six years, Maestro Mine Ventilation has become a dominant player in the global mine supply market by manufacturing digital instruments and controls for underground mine ventilation and now it is prepared to take over the digital communication market.

The company has rebranded itself as Maestro Digital Mine with the introduction of a new communication system that is set to transform the way real-time data is transmitted to the surface, ultimately improving mine productivity.

"Back in the '80s, mining went through this revolution with voice communication," said David Ballantyne, vice-president of product development.

"Within five years, every mine in the world installed it. Our system is going to do the same for digital networking."

One of the biggest challenges facing the mining industry is declining productivity.

Studies suggest digital innovation could solve the productivity challenge. But when it comes to underground mining, real-time data transmission, especially in the last mile to surface, is the most challenging to convert.

As the world's only Gigabit network over coaxial cable, the Plexus PowerNet[TM] Communication Network solves that and a number of underground challenges.

The system can be installed, terminated and maintained by any electrician without special tools or training. It provides both Gigabit data and power to end point devices over the same cable resulting in dramatic installation savings.

Maestro's technology replaces delicate fiber-optic cables in the last mile while providing the same high bandwidth functionality.

Maestro's technology is already in demand.

Canada's Barrick Gold is installing the Plexus PowerNet[TM] Communication Network at its Cortez Mine in Nevada.

Barrick, the world's most valuable gold miner, recently signed a deal with CISCO Systems Inc. to bring the latest digital technology to its global mining operations, starting with its Cortez mine. Maestro will be part of the mining giant's evolution.

Vice-president of sales and marketing Michael Gribbons said he expects...