Security solutions provider Tyco Integrated Fire and Security has supplied a fully integrated security solution to a diamond mine, in Botswana, with closed-circuit television (CCTV) – a first in the Botswana mining industry – and access control to manage high-risk areas without the hindrance of physical barriers.

The security company also implemented its Tyco C-Cure 9000 access control system, which was developed in the US in 2008. It includes fully integrated protocol edge door controllers, video edge network video recorders with the Illustra 400 Series Internet protocol (IP) dome, bullet cameras and a video edge IP speed dome pan-tilt zoom cameras video system.

The security solution provides full biometric access control and mitigates diamond and equipment theft, as well as safety risks in and around the process plants, explains Tyco Integrated Fire and Security’s business development manager Martin van der Westhuizen.

Access to work areas is granted according to area and for a specific duration. “Staff can proceed to approved and disarmed working areas through virtual barriers. “Should the staff member deviate from this, the CCTV system will register the intrusion and immediate action can be taken,” he adds, noting that the integrated power of the security system supports work operations without interfering them.

The CCTV system was installed for security and process and production control, notes Van der Westhuizen, adding that cameras were placed at all the critical process areas to monitor the process flow.

“Cameras are also mounted inside the vacuum chambers of the cyclone-sorting units to monitor a process that is normally impossible to see, rendering the use of this technology for security and process fairly unique.”

He highlights that focused surveillance was needed for all the mining and materials handling, crushing and flotation, recovery and process, short house and diamond export areas, as well as the perimeter.

Two monitoring control rooms were required for security and process control, Van der Westhuizen states, noting that intercom solution provider Aiphone’s IP intercom system, with biometric solution provider Safran Morpho’s access fingerprint biometric system, were also installed to monitor mine access.

“All the implemented systems were full IP systems with power over Ethernet connections. The security system was the latest in digital security, with virtual matrices and content analytics.

“A full IP system enables the mine to receive security information, which is easy to use. “Tyco Integrated Fire and Security used the fibre ring network around the mine and plant to connect all systems to the servers and control rooms,” he explains.

Minimal cable runs were required, as all the devices connected to the network switch with a single cable for data and power. “The customer is also guaranteed a future-proof solution, fully upgradable, should they require expansion or changes,” Van der Westhuizen adds.

The Botswana project took seven months to complete, starting in February 2012 and ending in September 2012, and coincided with the civil construction of the Botswana mine and plant.

Van der Westhuizen states that, currently, there is a low exposure to Tyco Integrated Fire and Security’s C-Cure technology, as the mining community does not easily convert to using new security offerings. However, diamond giant De Beers has also been using the product at its London operations and at another diamond mine in Southern Africa.

“Although C-Cure is still an emerging technology in the Southern African market, about 170 Fortune 500 global corporations use Tyco Integrated Fire and Security’s C-Cure technology,” Van der Westhuizen points out.

The deployment of Tyco Integrated Fire and Security’s systems at diamond mine operations offers intensive monitoring and control of mine operations and reduces the risk of theft and safety incidences, he concludes, noting that C-Cure is available through several branches of global security supplier company Tyco.