The “COVID-19” pandemic: Motorola Solutions supports Rio Tinto’s Aluminium business for communication link-up

Motorola Solutions is supporting Rio Tinto to pursue delivery towards its consumers while safeguarding people and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two multinational companies have joined hands to design and roll-out a back-up communications solution for Rio Tinto Aluminium’s Integrated Operations Centre (IOC), in Brisbane, Queensland. The system empowers endured critical communications amid mines during an emergency and was developed and deployed in just five days.

The existing IOC provides 24/7 monitoring of all safety, production and quality aspects at remote bauxite mine sites in Weipa, Queensland and Gove, Northern Territory and is essential to coordinating Rio Tinto’s bauxite supply to Australian alumina plants and export markets.

If the IOC link becomes unreachable for any reason, Rio Tinto can continue tracking mine production movements via its mission-critical TETRA digital two-way radio communications system.  This feeds directly into the mining organisation’s Disaster Recovery Centre.

Rio Tinto uses a combination of robust and reliable TETRA DIMETRA™ and MOTOTRBO™ radio handsets and dispatch consoles across the mine sites to monitor and manage field operations safely and efficiently.

The solution throws a direct message, as it an important part of Rio Tinto’s business continuity plans to keep operations running safely throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, delegating commercial supply chain continuity and planning for future occurrences.

Motorola Solutions carry on monitoring minutely the widespread impact of COVID-19 and is committed to supporting the critical communications, safety and security needs of its enterprise and public safety and customers globally.

Martin Chappell, General Manager of Energy and Natural Resources for Motorola Solutions Australia & New Zealand said: “Any communications equipment used in mining must adhere to the highest standards to keep workers safe and maintain security and reliability across the entire operation.”

Chappell also added: “Through a combination of rugged radios, purpose-built dispatch consoles and essential back-up links, we are providing Rio Tinto Aluminium with effective protection for its people and assets to ensure business continuity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”