MINING MINING MINING MINING MINING 
Project Fact Sheet 
HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTORS IN 
BENEFITS 
safety 
UNDERGROUND COMMUNICATIONS 
• Increases miner productivity 
• Increases underground mine 
• Increases productivity of 
autonomous mining equipment 
APPLICATION 
This new technology can be used 
in any underground mining 
operation and can benefit the 
individual miner or mining 
equipment. 
ENHANCED UNDERGROUND COMMUNICATIONS WILL INCREASE 
PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY 
The use of superconducting materials in communication equipment will increase 
the range of through-the-earth communications and make underground wireless 
networks commonplace in underground mining operations. The high temperature 
Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUID) system can increase 
underground mining production by allowing better communications and orientation 
and position information which can benefit both an individual miner or a mining 
machine. This system also improves underground mining safety through wireless 
communications. 
The best approach to underground communications systems is to use low 
frequency electromagnetic waves that can deeply penetrate into the earth. The 
existing low frequency receivers are relatively insensitive to low frequency 
magnetic fields when configured into small packages and used over a wide 
bandwidth. Receivers based on high temperature SQUID technology are far more 
sensitive to low frequency magnetic fields, and can be placed in small packages 
easily carried by miners moving in an underground environment. The SQUID 
receivers possess the sensitivity and bandwidth to carry voice and data in a 
configuration that is easier to install and maintain than hard-wired technology. 
COMMUNICATIONS TESTING 
Workers test a communications receiver in an underground mine. 
OFFICE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES 
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Project Description 
Objective: To develop and apply high temperature superconductors in underground 
communications to improve safety, productivity, and energy efficiency. 
Progress and Milestones 
This project includes the following activities: 
PROJECT PARTNERS 
• Conduct field tests to examine noise backgrounds and signal propagation 
Los Alamos National Laboratory 
Los Alamos, NM • Develop long range audio 
• Evaluate industry needs for portable communications Helca Mining Company 
Coeur d’Alene, ID 
• Identify MSHA requirements effect on in-mine systems CONSOL Inc. 
Library, PA 
• Demonstrate high quality long range audio to mining companies 
Cyprus Amax Minerals Company 
Englewood, CO • Perform system analysis of underground radio networks and potential benefits 
• Design and build portable transmitters ASARCO Incorporated 
Sahuarita, AZ 
• Field demonstrate two-way radio based on portable electronics Phelps Dodge Mining Company 
Morenci, AZ 
• Transfer communications technology to mining partners 
Raton Technology Research 
Raton, NM 
Harris Communications 
Rochester, NY 
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant 
Carlsbad, NM 
Colorado School of Mines 
Golden, CO 
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, 
PLEASE CONTACT: 
Office of Industrial Technologies 
Clearinghouse 
Phone: (800) 862-2086 
Fax: (360) 586-8303 
clearinghouse@ee.doe.gov 
Visit our home page at 
www.oit.doe.gov/mining 
Office of Industrial Technologies 
Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy 
U.S. Department of Energy 
Washington, D.C. 20585 
November 1999