Vital Alert Communication Inc. Completes Successful CanaryLink Demonstration in China

Vital Alert Communication Inc. Completes Successful CanaryLink Demonstration in China

CANADIAN-based VITAL ALERT COMMUNICATION INC. marked the first demonstration of its Canary®Link through-the-earth communication system in China, its fourth country since developing the technology, earlier this year.

 

The company confirmed in May that the demonstration took place at one of the nation’s largest state-owned active gold mining operations, China Gold Group’s Jinchangyu complex, over a five-day period in early 2013. Two-way voice and text messages were positively sent and received over a distance of about 1000 feet, or 300 meters.

 

In attendance for the event, in addition to VITALALERT staff, were about 10 companies from across China’s primary mining provinces. While the demonstration was the first for Canary®Link in China, the company has already completed similar demonstrations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Canada and Chile in both coal and hard rock mines.

 

“We believe it will be of great help to mine safety,” Jinchangyu mine safety and environment department director Qinghai Meng said. “[W]e are pleased to see two way voice and data communication, which is ideal for emergency communication.”

 

Added Beijing General Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Institute of Mining Engineering director, Da Zang: “We see the Canary®Link’s through-the-earth communication technology as a positive step forward in improving post-accident communication as well as addressing unique operational communication needs.”

 

The Canary®Link TTE system links to existing communication infrastructure and can be used for everyday as well as emergency communication needs. Unlike other systems which prescribe end-to-end solutions, Canary®Link integrates with standard, existing mine communication systems and allows remote or temporary areas of an operation to also be connected with surface personnel cost effectively. When traditional wired communication methods are severed and not easily repaired, Canary®Link can permit a successful back-up link between underground and surface crews.

 

Canary®Link is now commercially available, and the Intrinsically Safe [IS] version of the system recently obtained is currently under MSHA review.

Andy Stein Joins Vital Alert as Director, Business Development

We are pleased to announce that Andy Stein has joined VITAL ALERT COMMUNICATION INC. Andy will lead Business Development and Marketing, working with our partners to grow our presence in the marketplace and drive revenue.

 

Andy brings a wealth of experience to VITAL ALERT in mining, mine technologies and communications. He worked extensively with commercial partners while at Northern Light Technologies and Active Control Technology. Andy’s ability to apply new technology to real world environments will be invaluable as VITAL ALERT brings its industry leading Through-The-Earth products to market.

 

Please join us in welcoming Andy to VITAL ALERT as Director, Business Development!

World Coal Magazine Article Featuring Vital Alert

Vital Alert was invited to submit a technical article for the February 2013 edition of World Coal Magazine which focused on coal mine safety. Mike Roper, Vital Alert’s CTO, authored the article which explains how Canary Through-The-Earth communication technology can be used for voice and text communication during an underground event.

Vital Alert Successfully Demonstrates CanaryLink Through-the-Earth Communication System at Active Mine in Chile

THORNHILL, ON, March 6, 2012 /CNW/ – Communication system developer VITAL ALERT COMMUNICATION INC. has successfully demonstrated its CanaryLink Through-The-Earth Communication™ system (formerly known as the C1000) in an active mining operation in Chile, its first field testing of the device outside of North America.

 

The testing was completed in January 2012 at the underground Mandalay Resources Cerro Bayo Mine, a silver and gold operation outside of Chile Chico in southern Chile.

 

CanaryLink interconnected easily with the mine’s existing Becker Varis leaky feeder system and standard VHF handheld radios. Voice communication was successful between underground and the surface at a range of approximately 450 feet of solid mountain rock.

 

Vital Alert performed this demonstration with collaboration and support from two of its partners, Becker Wholesale Mine Supply and NLT Chile.

 

“Vital Alert is thrilled to bring this solution to customers and contributing to the safety of mine workers around the world,” according to Heather Simmons, Vital Alert CEO. “We are grateful for partners like Becker Wholesale Mine Supply and NLT Chile whose mining expertise and integration skills are an essential element of Vital Alert’s success in this project and beyond.”

 

The CanaryLink system is an easy-to-use, effective Through-The-Earth (TTE) device that links to existing communication infrastructure and can be used for everyday as well as emergency communication needs. Unlike other systems which prescribe end-to-end solutions, CanaryLink integrates with standard, existing mine communication systems and allows even remote or temporary areas of an operation to be connected with surface personnel cost effectively.

 

Also, when traditional wired communication methods are severed and not easily repaired, CanaryLink permits a successful back-up link between underground and surface crews. These factors and others make CanaryLink the smart choice for any type of mining operation.

 

“The safety of our workers is critical for Cerro Bayo and Mandalay Resources overall. This solution has the potential to increase worker safety and improve operational efficiency because of its wireless connection and ability to penetrate through the rock,” says Jose Guerrero, Superintendent Maintenance and Services or the mine.

 

This demonstration conducted in Chile is particularly significant because of the 2010 disaster that trapped 33 workers underground for more than two months. With CanaryLink installed in shelters and key work areas prior, crews can quickly identify the specific location of trapped workers, leading to a rapid rescue.

 

CanaryLink is commercially available, and the Intrinsically Safe version of the system was recently assigned a PAR number by the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) and is currently under MSHA review. Approval of the IS version is expected in the Fall of 2012.

 

Once approved, CanaryLink IS will be immediately available for coal mines and any other applications requiring Intrinsically Safe certification.

 

“Our customers look to us for reliable innovative communication solutions and this successful demonstration has only increased our confidence that Vital Alert’s CanaryLink is the right Through-The-Earth system to complement our product line,” says Jose Ojados, Director, NLT Chile LTDA.

 

“Vital Alert’s CanaryLink is the perfect complement to our broad, proven portfolio of mine communications systems, including leaky feeder, Wi-Fi, and now VLF. And VLF demand is growing – we have several demos planned at North American customer sites this spring,” said Bill Hensler, President of Becker Wholesale Mine Supply.

 

NLT Chile is a CanaryLink reseller for Chile and Argentina. Becker Wholesale Mine Supply is the exclusive reseller for the CanaryLink system for mining in North America. For more information on system specifications, North American customers please contact Bill Hensler at (724) 515-4993 and South American customers please call Jose Ojados at (56-2) 571 2885 Anexo 801.

 

Read more: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/vital-alert

Vital Alert Communication Inc. Awarded Prestigious Research Grant

TORONTO, June 21 /CNW/ – Vital Alert Communication Inc. has been awarded an Industrial Research Assistance Program (“I.R.A.P.”) grant from the National Research Council of Canada. The grant will be used to fund research and prototype development for a portable version of Vital Alert’s very low frequency, through-the-earth communications system, which is designed for use in mines, subways, tunnels, and other underground environments.

 

“Our system does not have cables or a complex mesh of communications nodes, so it is more likely to survive a significant explosion, earthquake, rockslide, or other natural or manmade disaster. First responders, mine managers, and safety regulators tell us that a portable, survivable communications system would be very valuable in the event of an emergency,” said Heather Simmons, CEO.

 

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/59732#ixzz3kbCVHvol

Vital Alert Communication Inc. Announces Successful Demonstration of Through-the-Earth Radio for Vale Inco and KPI Industrial Controls

TORONTO, March 31 /CNW/ – Vital Alert Communication Inc. is pleased to announce that it has successfully demonstrated its new through-the-earth radio for representatives of mining company Vale Inco and leading mining systems integrator KPI Industrial Controls. The radio uses no wires and can communicate voice, text, or data through hundreds of feet of solid rock, concrete, or other obstructions. The radio works by propagating a magnetic field through an analog to digital converter, then compressing the digital signal using software to achieve adequate digital transfer rates.

 

The test was conducted in Dynamic Earth test mine in Sudbury, Ontario, and included 2 way voice and text messaging through approximately 350 feet of rock, earth, and concrete. Vital Alert holds the exclusive global license on the patents for through-the-earth communications held by Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NewMexico. Heather Simmons, CEO of Vital Alert, said, “We are pleased that the KPI Industrial Controls representatives saw many applications for our product, including remote equipment diagnostics, back-up 2 way emergency text and voice communications, and back-up sensor alarm applications. This test follows our successful demonstrations for U.S. law enforcement agencies, which can use our system in underground operations, and one of the world’s largest subway systems, which seeks to efficiently capture operational data to improve the customer experience.” The system could also be used by rescuers responding to a natural disaster.

 

Read more: http://archive.newswire.ca/en/story/598267/vital-alert-communication

Vital Alert Gains $2.5 Million Investment

Vital Alert closes $2.5 million equity financing round, in 3 tranches.

 

Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/

About Vital Alert

Our wireless Through-the-Earth technology uses low frequency, digital electromagnetic induction to deliver secure, real-time voice, text and low speed data.

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Vital Alert’s Canary products provide solutions for a diverse range of communication challenges delivering both day-to-day and/or critical backup communications.

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