IndigoVision IP Video Monitors Mine Operation and Safety

  • Jul 15, 2011
IndigoVision’s integrated IP Video surveillance solution is being used to ensure the safety, security and smooth operation of a remote mining complex on the French island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean.

The mine is operated by Sablières de Guadeloupe and uses a surface mining process to extract up to 2m tons of sand, gravel and other aggregates for the construction industry per year. The complex is located on two main sites, situated over 50 miles apart - the actual mining area on the coast and a distribution centre in the middle of the island. Surveillance cameras from both areas are remotely monitored from an office located on a third site.

Commenting on the success of the project, M. Pravaz, Director at Sablières de Guadeloupe, said “The operation of the mine has been transformed since we installed the IndigoVision system. Using a laptop I can view the entire mine operation, no matter which site I’m on. We are the only mine on the island that can offer a state-of-the-art surveillance system that keeps all of our staff and customers safe and secure and provides us with a transaction record.”

Using PC workstations running ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s Video Management Software, operators and managers can monitor the mine’s complex operation from different locations. The new surveillance system allows the mining operation, truck movements, weighing operation and general site security and safety to be easily monitored. Full remote control of PTZ cameras means simple things like ensuring trucks are properly covered after loading can be confirmed. Recorded video also provides the mine’s operators with an audited record of transactions that can easily be retrieved in the event of a customer dispute. Details such as the truck’s license plate and driver’s face can be recorded as part of the transaction.

IndigoVision’s low bandwidth technology is an ideal solution for this type of remote and distributed project. Cameras within each site are connected via wireless IP-networks and communication between the sites is achieved using a VPN over SDSL lines. The advanced compression technology deployed in the IP Video solution allows low-bandwidth wireless links to be easily implemented and low-latency video and data to be delivered. This enables the smooth operation of PTZ cameras over large distances.

IndigoVision’s system allows each camera to output two video streams at different resolutions. This is used in an innovative way when recording the video. An IndigoVision Network Video Recorder (NVR) is located at each of the two main sites. The NVR at one site records high-resolution video from the local site and low-resolution video from the remote site. However, high-resolution video clips from the other site can also be viewed once the right footage has been identified. This reduces the bandwidth requirements of the SDSL link.

IndigoVision’s solution is fully integrated with the GE Alliance intruder detection systems installed around the mine complex. In the event of an incident an alarm is automatically raised on the ‘Control Center’ workstation located in the remote office, identifying the precise location of the intrusion. This allows operators to quickly investigate, which improves overall incident response and security of the site.

Featured

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.