Studies show the significant impact poor lighting can have on exhaustion, alertness, and reaction time. When miners, for instance, work in poorly lit areas, it not only affects their productivity but also increases safety risks such as falls and fatigue.
New-generation lighting solutions are essential for improving both safety and productivity in the mining industry, according to Gert Roselt, CEO of Probe IMT.
By investing in advanced, customised lighting systems, companies can create optimal working environments that help boost overall profitability.
“Outdated lighting sources such as fluorescent lights, incandescent bulbs, and HID lamps should be replaced by advanced LED lighting technologies that not only provide greater safety for workers but also optimise efficiency and performance. With tailored illumination for specific applications, miners can work safely and more efficiently, while energy consumption is minimised,” says Roselt.
Roselt says enhanced visibility for workers allows more efficient workflows, further improving output.
“Illuminating machinery and equipment properly with LEDs avoids accidents that lead to downtime. Brighter lights mean higher production.”
Make it Green
Energy-efficient LED lights also offer significant environmental benefits that can help mining companies meet their sustainability goals and reduce their carbon footprint, according to Roselt.
“Mining companies can save on energy consumption, resulting in lower emissions of greenhouse gases. LED lights are more robust, dependable, and long-lasting. This reduces the need to replace them frequently, minimising costs and the materials used in production and disposal.”
The low heat emission and radiation levels of LED lights further protect workers like miners from the potential health hazards associated with other forms of lighting.
LED Leads to ROI
Global lighting brand Vision X has partnered with Probe IMT to offer lighting solutions at heavy industry sites.
“These LED lights offer an impressive increase in energy efficiency over older technologies, while also providing up to 80% brighter light output,” says Roselt.
“In Vision X, we have found a partner that provides advanced lighting solutions to meet the unique needs of every mining environment. Vision X delivers the results our clients need, with excellent return on investment.”
Customised designs
When it comes to productivity, the customised lighting designs offered by Vision X further support both work performance and well-being, according to Roselt.
“Designers can create customised lighting configurations optimally suited to meet the harsh requirements of underground mines, helping miners work safely and efficiently even in challenging environments. Well-designed lighting arrays support better visibility with less energy consumption, which leads to improved operational efficiency and cost savings.”
Rather than providing generic light heads for equipment, Vision X considers both the equipment model and ore base to create a custom lighting configuration.
A 3D model is built to the customer’s specifications and then carried over into a simulation rendering, ensuring the final product will meet the customer’s lighting requirements. Vision X's detailed fit-out guides show a visual representation of light when placed on equipment to ensure placement meets customers’ expectations.
Every fit-out is designed specifically for each piece of equipment, helping to reduce or eliminate unscheduled maintenance, minimise wear on associated equipment, increase light output in the work area, and reduce glare on peripheral equipment. The result is improved visibility for maximum safety and efficiency.
“Ultimately, customised LED lighting solutions offer increased safety and productivity for miners, while also delivering cost savings and helping to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint,” says Roselt.
“Investing in these advanced lighting solutions is an investment in the future—one that will help mining companies achieve greater profitability while keeping their workers safe.”
Enquiries: www.probeimt.co.za