Huntington's Strictly Business working on mine tracking system

HUNTINGTON -- Strictly Business Computer Systems of Huntington has joined with two other West Virginia companies to developed a new mine safety tracking and telecommunications system.

Delta Electric, based in Logan and Carroll Technology Group of Beckley teamed up with Strictly Business, a software company, to develop the system. And they recently briefed Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., and United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts, on the system at a meeting in Rahall's office in Washington.

"I am impressed at the achievement of these three firms, whose work exemplifies the kind of technological advances in mine safety that have sprung up in Southern West Virginia in recent years," Rahall said in a press release from his office.

Research and development in mine safety gained renewed emphasis after passage of federal legislation, requiring mines to implement tracking and communications systems that can connect miners underground with rescuers on the outside.

"As we so tragically learned at Sago and Aracoma, the ability for all parties to communicate in an underground emergency is critical for miners' survival," Roberts said in the release.

The telecommunications system can track and locate miners and provide multiple real time links among miners, rescue teams, and safety and emergency personnel. Devices that track miners underground and monitor air quality can be combined with communication equipment and software to connect mine radios on different frequencies, as well as page phones, conventional telephones, cell phones and computers.

The system works through a control center that can monitor up to four coal mines. During a crisis, it would enable company, union, local, state and federal safety officials to interact with those underground and with medical personnel.

The collaborative effort benefited from the expertise of both Carroll and Delta in mining communications and the experience of Strictly Business in emerging communications technology, the press release said.

"The communications piece optimizes coal mine safety investments by accurately reflecting where people are, what conditions are like throughout the mine, and enabling emergency workers to talk to each other and directly with those underground to guide escape, treatment, and location of the miners," Mike Owens, president of Strictly Business, said in the press release.

"Delta Electric has been providing equipment and services to coal companies for over 25 years, and this is the greatest leap forward I have ever seen," Delta Electric President Tom Bannister commented in the release. "We are proud to be a part of this team."