|
In 2012, 2CL became the trusted radio communications supplier for Compass Minerals, supporting their multi-site operations across both the Winsford Salt Mine and the DeepStore underground storage facility. These environments continue to present unique communication challenges, from vast tunnel networks to RF-obstructing rock pillars, where reliable two-way radio systems are essential for safety and productivity. For over 13 years, 2CL has ensured that Compass Minerals’ teams stay connected above and below ground every day, by implementing and supporting a resilient digital MOTOTRBO radio solution. |
AT A GLANCE Industry: Mining, Archival Storage
|
“Working underground brings challenges you simply don’t experience anywhere else, so we need a radio system we can trust every single day. 2CL understood the complexity of our environment and built a system that performs flawlessly above and below ground. ”
— Alan Wilson, Head of Engineering, Compass Minerals
About Compass Minerals
Compass Minerals operates one of the UK’s most distinctive industrial environments:
- Winsford Salt Mine: a working underground rock salt mine
- DeepStore: a secure records storage facility using 1.8 million sq ft of excavated space – that’s equivalent to 23 football pitches
With teams working across large underground chambers, long tunnel networks, and extensive surface operations, effective communication is critical for safety, logistics and operational efficiency.
The Communications Challenge
Compass Minerals needed a single, integrated communications system that would connect underground and surface teams; logistics, engineers, and supervisors; and archive and mining operations.
Underground Radio Coverage
The mine’s 20-metre rock pillars and sprawling tunnels create significant RF challenges. The older analogue radio system delivered patchy, unreliable coverage, with many users forced to return to the surface just to relay messages
Safety-Critical Features
With staff often working alone and in hazardous environments, the new system needed to include many safety features, including emergency alerts, man-down detection, lone worker checks, real-time location tracking, and fast evacuation signalling.
Industrial Durability
In the consistently harsh environment the equipment was deployed in, it needed to withstand salt dust, vibration, temperature changes, and daily heavy use.
Solution
After assessing several technologies, Compass Minerals chose 2CL as their long-term communications partner thanks to our experience delivering high-performance radio systems for complex, high-risk sites.
To address the safety requirements, we deployed TRBOnet Enterprise which supports a suite of advanced applications. These include real-time tracking via beacon handshakes, man-down and lone-worker alerts, emergency signalling, and a bespoke evacuation-override capability that enables supervisors to broadcast instructions instantly to every radio on the network.
We designed and deployed a fully IP-linked MOTOTRBO digital radio system that made use of the site’s existing fibre network. The original installation employed 16 Motorola DR3000 repeaters, which has now been increased to 30 x repeaters (DR3000 & SLR5500) over the years, and all IP connected back to the TRBOnet Enterprise.
Because each site presents its own environmental challenges from abrasive, dusty underground conditions to climate-controlled archive storage above ground, we engineered the system to deliver consistent, reliable audio quality throughout.
Results
Reliable Underground Radio Communications
Teams across the mine and DeepStore now benefit from clear, uninterrupted digital audio with far wider coverage than the previous analogue system. Even in demanding salt-district conditions, the radios continue to perform with consistent reliability.
Improved Worker Safety
Safety procedures have been transformed. The new system enables faster incident response, automatic man-down alerts, accurate location tracking, and more efficient evacuation processes. During emergencies, teams have reliable real-time communication that simply wasn’t possible before.
Higher Operational Productivity
Daily operations run more smoothly. Supervisors can issue instructions instantly, update job status, and coordinate logistics without requiring lengthy underground-to-surface trips. Forklift drivers and archive teams can be contacted immediately, helping tasks move faster and with fewer delays.
Long-Term Value from a Specialist Radio Supplier
This partnership has delivered more than a one-off installation.
For over 13 years, 2CL has maintained the system, supplied replacement equipment, supported new operational requirements, and provided ongoing servicing and technical guidance. That continuity ensures reliable communications and long-term value across Compass Minerals’ sites.
“The coverage, the safety features, and the reliability have made a real difference to how we operate. Their support has been consistent for over a decade, and we know we can depend on them whenever we need to.”
— Alan Wilson, Head of Engineering, Compass Minerals
Looking for Reliable and Durable Two-Way Radio Communication Systems?
To get in touch please call 0800 389 2278 or send us an enquiry below: