Insights

Blog

News, insights, and technical articles from the Deftec team.

Structured Cabling in Mining: Why Getting it Right Matters

Poor cabling infrastructure is one of the most common causes of network unreliability in industrial environments. Here's what to look for and how to get it right.

CablingCommunicationsMiningInfrastructure

Aquila Coal Mine: YANMAR 10 HP Pump Supply

Deftec supplied a YANMAR 10 HP twin-impeller pump for Anglo American's Aquila Coal Mine at Middlemount, managing the full procurement and delivery logistics to support mining operational continuity.

Aquila Coal Mine: Power Supply Upgrade

Deftec deployed a structured electrical team for a three-month power supply upgrade at Anglo American's Aquila Coal Mine in Middlemount, combining experienced supervision with qualified electricians on a 24/7 rotating roster.

Understanding IEC 62443 for Industrial Control System Security

A practical overview of the IEC 62443 standard and how it applies to securing industrial automation systems in Australian mining and utilities.

OT SecurityStandardsIEC 62443

OT Network Segmentation: The Foundation of Industrial Cybersecurity

Network segmentation is the most impactful single step most industrial operations can take to improve their OT cybersecurity posture. Here's what it means and how to approach it.

OT SecurityNetworkingICSCybersecurity

Why PLC Code Standardisation Matters for Mining Operations

Inconsistent PLC code across your fleet costs more than you think. Here's how code standardisation reduces downtime, training costs, and commissioning time.

PLCControl SystemsMiningStandardisation

MAJ: Mammoth Substation IO Checks

Deftec conducted systematic IO validation for Major Electrical's Mammoth substation, verifying Schweitzer SEL-751 feeder protection relays and intelligent protection devices with comprehensive documentation and labelling.

High Voltage

Moranbah North Mine: Fibre Optic Network Expansion

Deftec executed multi-route fibre optic splicing and termination works at Anglo American's Moranbah North Mine, expanding the communications backbone across five circuit routes with 96-core overhead fibre infrastructure.

Communications

Moranbah North Mine: Outbye Conveyors PCS Engineering Support

Deftec provided dedicated PCS engineering support for Anglo American's Moranbah North Mine outbye conveyor systems, delivering a hybrid on-site and remote coverage model to ensure reliable conveyor control system performance.

Coal Processing

Moranbah North Mine: Fibre Route Recording & Network Optimisation

Deftec conducted a comprehensive fibre network audit at Anglo American's Moranbah North Mine, mapping the optical infrastructure and establishing geographically diverse redundant links for improved communications resilience.

Major Electrical: SS45 Transformer Testing & Condition Assessment

Deftec delivered a two-stage transformer testing programme for Major Electrical, combining oil analysis with CPC100 primary injection testing to provide comprehensive condition data for their SS45 transformer at Mackay.

High Voltage

Oaky Creek North: Tailgate CH4 Monitoring System

Deftec engineered a comprehensive methane monitoring system for Glencore's Oaky Creek North Coal, featuring Ampcontrol's Gasguard 2 detector with a 4.5 km intrinsically safe cable run and custom HMI display for underground gas safety.

SCADAPLCUnderground MiningCommunicationsSafety SystemsAsset Tracking

Grosvenor Mine: Underground WiFi Mapping & Rectification

Deftec conducted systematic underground WiFi mapping and rectification at Anglo American's Grosvenor Mine in Moranbah, remediating coverage issues to ensure stable wireless communications for operational safety.

Underground Mining

NQ Water: Aquila STP Cable Installation

Deftec installed and terminated high-spec power and fibre optic cabling for NQ Water's Aquila sewage treatment plant expansion, supporting a new STP area and 20kW multistage pump system.

Water & UtilitiesCommunications

OCN Communications Container: Remote Site Communications Infrastructure

Deftec designed a solar-powered communications container for Glencore's Oaky Creek mine, delivering 3-day energy autonomy with integrated surveillance and wireless data transmission for remote site monitoring.

IIoTPower SystemsSwitchboardsSurveillance

TAIL-Monitor: Underground Methane Monitoring at Grosvenor Mine

Deftec designed and implemented a tailgate methane monitoring system at Anglo American's Grosvenor Mine using the iMAC2 platform, providing continuous networked visibility of underground gas levels with multi-protocol communications.

Underground Mining