Coal Mine in Central Queensland – Critical Communications Network Refresh
Stabilising and modernising a critical communications network.
lithiumReplacing floor-mounted legacy batteries
& alarmedModern battery monitoring and alarming
About The Client
A major coal mining operation in Central Queensland relied on a private microwave communications network providing the critical transport infrastructure that links operational facilities, remote communications sites and business systems across the operation.
The Business Challenge
As part of acquiring and assuming responsibility for a privately operated regional telecommunications network, MarchNet inherited the communications infrastructure supporting a major mining operation.
While the microwave network remained operational, a detailed engineering review identified a number of infrastructure risks that had accumulated over time:
The challenge was not simply maintaining service continuity, but transforming inherited infrastructure into a safe, supportable, long-term telecommunications platform capable of supporting critical mining operations.
The Business Solution
Following acquisition of the network, MarchNet undertook a complete engineering assessment of the transport infrastructure and developed a targeted network modernisation program. The objective was to improve safety, increase resilience, standardise infrastructure and establish a modern telecommunications-grade platform capable of supporting long-term operations.
The project focused on the four critical communications sites that form the backbone of the microwave WAN supporting mine operations – two Points of Presence (POPs) and two remote solar-powered microwave repeater sites.
Four sites refreshed to one engineering standard
Hover over (or tap) each site to see what changed.
- Point of Presence 1-48V DC power plantRefreshed with a telco-grade -48V DC Eaton power plant, modern rectifiers, lithium batteries with monitoring, and standardised DC protection.
- Point of Presence 2-48V DC power plantBrought to the same engineering standard as the first POP, simplifying maintenance and spares across the network.
- Repeater site 1Solar-poweredFloor-mounted batteries removed and replaced with rack-mounted lithium, a dedicated solar charging platform, and power electronics relocated away from heat-soaked walls.
- Repeater site 2Solar-poweredRe-engineered to match: dedicated communications racks, improved airflow, and standardised isolation, fusing and surge protection.
- Mine operationsOperational connectivityThe refreshed microwave WAN carries operational connectivity and business systems throughout the mining operation.
Communications Backbone Upgrade
MarchNet refreshed the network using carrier-grade telecommunications power infrastructure, establishing a common engineering standard across all four locations to simplify maintenance and improve resilience:
- Telco-grade -48V DC power systems
- Eaton telecommunications power plants
- Modern rectifier systems
- Dedicated solar charging platforms
- Lithium battery technology
- Battery monitoring systems
- Standardised DC protection
- Surge protection, earthing & bonding
Transforming Remote Repeater Sites
MarchNet completely re-engineered the remote repeater sites, significantly improving safety, thermal performance, reliability and long-term maintainability.
Before and after the refresh
The most significant changes happened at the remote repeaters.
Power systems grown over time
- Batteries installed directly on container floors
- Power systems that had developed organically
- Charging infrastructure approaching end of life
- Power electronics against heat-soaked container walls
- Poor thermal management and maintenance access
Re-engineered for the long term
- Rack-mounted lithium battery systems
- Dedicated communications racks
- Power electronics relocated for better cooling
- Improved airflow and equipment separation
- Standardised isolation, fusing and surge protection
Safety & Compliance Improvements
A major driver for the project was improving personnel safety and reducing operational risk. The refresh addressed:
- Battery installations that did not meet current standards
- Live maintenance access risks
- Ageing electrical infrastructure
- Degraded battery systems
- Inconsistent protection arrangements
- Limited isolation capability during maintenance activities
The modernised platform provides safe access to isolation points, improved electrical protection and a standardised maintenance environment aligned with telecommunications industry best practice.
Improved Reliability & Resilience
The refresh was designed to improve the long-term reliability of the communications backbone supporting mine operations. Project outcomes included:
- Removal of known power-system single points of failure
- Replacement of end-of-life infrastructure
- Increased battery autonomy
- Improved ride-through performance at critical sites
- Enhanced fault management capability
- Modern battery monitoring and alarming
- Standardised power system architecture
These upgrades significantly reduced operational risk, while providing a platform capable of supporting future communications growth and technology upgrades.
The Business Outcome
By acquiring, stabilising and modernising the inherited communications network, MarchNet transformed a collection of ageing telecommunications assets into a resilient, carrier-grade transport network supporting critical mining operations. Benefits delivered included:
- Service Continuity: Uninterrupted service following network acquisition.
- Modernised WAN: Refreshed microwave WAN infrastructure.
- Improved Resilience: Better network resilience and uptime.
- Standardised Power: Telecommunications-grade power systems at every site.
- Safer Sites: Legacy safety risks removed.
- Easier Support: Enhanced maintainability and supportability.
- Better Batteries: Improved battery autonomy and monitoring.
- Lower Risk: Reduced operational and commercial risk.
- Long-Term Sustainability: Critical communications infrastructure built to last.
Today the network continues to provide the communications backbone supporting operational connectivity across the mining operation.
- Four critical network sites upgraded
- Legacy batteries replaced with telco-grade lithium
- Floor-mounted batteries removed
- Standardised DC protection, isolation & surge protection
- Remote repeaters modernised for long-term operation
- Backbone secured and future-proofed
- Network acquisition & stabilisation
- Four strategic sites refreshed
- Carrier-grade -48V DC architecture
- Solar-powered repeater modernisation
- Rack-mounted lithium batteries
- Floor-mounted batteries removed
- Improved thermal performance & access
- Modern monitoring & alarming
- Enhanced reliability & resilience
- Long-term infrastructure sustainability
