Communications and Tracking for Underground Mines

Previous Status (April 30th):As of April 30, 2008, MSHA is processing 47 approval applications for communications and tracking technology. Since the beginning of 2006, we have issued 41 new or revised approvals for communications and tracking products. We have observed testing or demonstration of 31 communications and/or tracking systems at various mine sites. We have met with representatives from 61 communications and tracking system companies. To date, we have had discussions with various vendors regarding 168 different proposals for development of mine communications and tracking systems. We recently initiated a program to evaluate new technology communication and tracking system performance after MSHA approval and system deployment

Current Status (May 28th):As of May 28, 2008, MSHA is processing 48 approval applications for communications and tracking technology. Since the beginning of 2006, we have issued 45 new or revised approvals for communications and tracking products. We have observed 49 tests or demonstrations of 29 different communications and/or tracking systems at various mine sites. We have met with representatives from 62 communications and tracking system companies. To date, we have had discussions with various vendors regarding 168 different proposals for development of mine communications and tracking systems. We recently initiated a program to evaluate new technology communication and tracking system performance after MSHA approval and system deployment.

Changes in Status:

April : is processing 47 approval applications

May: is processing 48 approval applications

April: we have issued 41 new or revised approvals

May: we have issued 45 new or revised approvals**

April: observed testing or demonstration of 31 communications and/or tracking systems

May: observed 49 tests or demonstrations of 29 different communications and/or tracking systems

April: met with representatives from 61 communications and tracking system companies

May: met with representatives from 62 communications and tracking system companies

April: we have had discussions with various vendors regarding 168 different proposals

May: we have had discussions with various vendors regarding 168 different proposals

Complete Page:

http://www.msha.gov/techsupp/commoan...

** The increase to 45 from 41 makes it 4 “new or revised approvals”.

PDF Link showing Approvals:

http://www.msha.gov/techsupp/PEDLoca...

I have a copy of the pdf file from May 2nd (showing approvals for mid April)

I have a copy of the pdf file from May 16th (showing approvals for early May)

The file has not been updated for the end of May yet.

The May 16th version shows only 1 approval:

So from the above text stating an increase of 4 approvals, I am assuming that 3 new or revised approvals are imminent.

**Oh yeah, once again my Web Monitoring software showed changes to the Active control News and Press release sites (at 1:32 AM), but as of this morning nothing seems to have changed. Still hoping for an update on the alliance with a Chinese partner!