PMG Mining Bishop Mine Northern Cape Case Study

Delivering Seamless Connectivity at PMG Mine

Tammy van Graan

Product Integrated
WilsonPro A1000
Industry Type
Mining
Building Size: N/A

Mission-Critical Connectivity: How PMG Mining Ensured Signal Stability On-Site

PMG Mining (Pty) Ltd is a prominent player in South Africa’s mining sector, with a strong focus on manganese extraction and beneficiation.
Operating from its Bishops Mine in the Northern Cape - one of the country’s most mineral-rich regions - PMG Mining plays a key role in supporting both the
local and national economy. The company is known for its commitment to responsible mining practices, job creation, and community upliftment in rural
areas. As a growing force in the manganese supply chain, PMG Mining contributes
significantly to South Africa’s status as a global leader in mineral exports and industrial development.

PMG Mine Property overview

The Problem

PMG Mining, located at Bishops Mine in the Northern Cape, faced a severe mobile signal connectivity issue that impacted the productivity and communication of their on-site teams. The most affected areas included:

  • Mine Hostels and Kitchen Facilities: Heavily constructed buildings blocked virtually all mobile signal. Only faint 2G and 3G traces were occasionally detectable.
  • Office Spaces: Signal penetration was poor, resulting in unreliable voice calls and low data speeds.
  • Fleet Vehicles (TLBs): On-the-move communications were inconsistent and often dropped, affecting operational efficiency.

The lack of stable connectivity posed a safety risk and logistical challenge for a site operating in a remote region. PMG Mining approached Bolton Technical to design a comprehensive, long-term signal boosting solution.

PMG Mine Mast Solution Installation

Solution

Bolton Technical partnered with a leading distributor to perform an in-depth site survey. This survey shaped a bespoke solution tailored to the unique terrain, tower positioning, and building infrastructure at Bishops Mine.

The phase one of the installation was completed in just three days by Powertronics, a top-tier Bolton Technical distributor and installation partner.

The final setup included three key components:

1. Hostel & Kitchen Signal Boosting

  • Outdoor Donor Antennas:
    2 x Long Ranger  Antennas precisely aligned to distant cell towers in Olifantshoek and Postmasburg.
  • Indoor Amplification Network:
    7 x WilsonPro A1000 Signal Boosters
    7 x High-Gain Big Sector Antennas strategically placed to distribute strong signal across the living quarters and kitchen areas.

Impact: Residents and staff now enjoy reliable LTE and VoLTE connectivity, with excellent indoor coverage and stable call and data performance.

2. Office Coverage Network

  • Donor Setup:
    1 x Arrow Directional Antenna sourcing from an outdoor Big Sector.
  • Indoor Distribution:
    1 x WilsonPro A1000
    4 x Ceiling-Mount Dome Antennas delivering even signal coverage throughout the office environment.

Impact: Office staff now experience uninterrupted connectivity for both calls and data usage, enabling smoother operations and communications.

3. Fleet Signal Boosting for TLB Trucks

  • Mobile Vehicle Solution:
    10 x weBoost Drive AM100-Pro Kits installed in TLB trucks.

Impact: Fleet operators now maintain stable and reliable signal while navigating across remote mine roads and challenging terrain.

Our Proven Approach to Signal Improvement

At Bolton Technical, we follow a structured process to
ensure every solution is tailored to the specific needs of each property:

  1. Consultation – A detailed discussion with a signal expert to understand the unique
    connectivity challenges faced in the building.
  2. Site Survey – A comprehensive on-site assessment to analyze the environment, identify interference sources, and assess coverage gaps.
  3. Custom Project Proposal – A tailored plan that outlines all identified signal barriers and presents the optimal signal-boosting solution.
  4. Professional Installation – Efficient and discreet installation of the solution by expert installation teams, ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations.
WilsonPro A1000 PMG Mine Installation
The Sector Antenna PMG Mine Installation

The Result

PMG Mining now benefits from a robust and high-performance signal boosting system across all key operational areas. The solution has:

  • Significantly improved mobile signal coverage in buildings previously unreachable by external signals.
  • Delivered crystal-clear call quality and consistent data speeds.
  • Enable mobile connectivity for vehicle fleets, ensuring uninterrupted communication on the move.
  • Been professionally installed in record time with zero disruption to mine activities.

This project stands as a prime example of Bolton Technical’s ability to design, deliver, and deploy tailored cellular signal solutions for remote industrial sites. Together with trusted partners, we bring reliable connectivity to even the most isolated locations - powering safer, smarter operations.

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