Boosting Mobile Connectivity in Mining – Signal Upgrade with WilsonPro Solutions

Mining for Gold, Powered by Signal 

Reliable cellular communication is essential for productivity, safety, and operations in remote mining environments. At Sibanye-Stillwater’s Driefontein Gold Mine in South Africa, Bolton Technical implemented a powerful cellular signal booster solution using WilsonPro technology and long-range antennas, transforming poor coverage into seamless, site-wide mobile connectivity.

About Sibanye-Stillwater

Sibanye-Stillwater is a leading multinational mining and metals processing group, recognized as one of the world's largest primary producers of platinum, palladium, and rhodium, and a top-tier global gold producer. Operating across five continents, the company maintains a significant presence in South Africa, where its Driefontein Gold Mine is one of the country’s most productive gold mining operations.

Located approximately 70 kilometers west of Johannesburg near Carletonville in Gauteng, Driefontein comprises underground mining and surface treatment facilities. Situated on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand Basin, this mine has played a crucial role in South Africa’s gold mining history and continues to contribute significantly to the national economy.

The Problem

Sibanye-Stillwater’s Driefontein Five Shaft Mine faced critical mobile communication challenges across the site. The most pressing issues included:

• Poor In-Building Cellular Signal: Management offices within the mine suffered from weak or non-existent mobile signal, limiting day-to-day communication and affecting coordination.

 

• Limited Site-Wide Coverage: Broader areas of the mine experienced unreliable mobile connectivity due to obstructions, distance from external towers, and the vastness of the mining operation.

 

Recognizing the need for a scalable, industrial-grade solution, Sibanye engaged Bolton Technical to survey, design, and implement a custom cellular signal enhancement system tailored to the site’s unique conditions.

The Solution

Site Survey Insights & Initial Obstacles

During the preliminary site assessment, Bolton Technical’s engineers identified the Silo structure as the most strategic location for signal acquisition and distribution due to its elevation and line-of-sight advantages. However, access to the Silo presented an early logistical challenge, as the lift was non-operational, requiring the team to manually ascend via stairs while carrying all survey and test equipment.

Despite this, the Silo’s elevation offered a clear line of sight to multiple cellular towers, making it the ideal base for a robust network design. All work adhered to site-specific health and safety protocols, aligned with Bolton Technical’s standard HSE documentation.

Equipment Deployed

To create a robust, industrial cellular signal amplification system, a hybrid approach using both new hardware and existing infrastructure was deployed:

• Signal Sourcing: 2x Bolton Long Ranger Antennas were mounted on the Silo to pull signal from two separate external towers, ensuring both redundancy and coverage stability.

 

• Signal Amplification: WilsonPro A1000 and A500 Signal Booster Kits were deployed within the management offices and key operational zones to strengthen and maintain a reliable signal indoors.

 

• Signal Distribution: High-Gain Sector Antennas were installed on the Silo to effectively project signal deep into the mine’s infrastructure. Indoor Wall-Mount Panel Antennas were strategically positioned to distribute the amplified signal throughout the targeted indoor spaces.

 

All components were installed with precision to optimize both signal strength and distribution efficiency. The system design ensured strong donor signal capture, seamless amplification, and reliable signal delivery to end-users within the mine.

Network Design for the Offices

Network Design for the Silo

The Result

The solution delivered a dramatic improvement in mobile connectivity across the mine. Post-installation signal readings were significantly stronger:

• MTN Network: Signal strength improved to -56 dBm and -59 dBm
• Vodacom Network: Signal strength measured at -50 dBm and -54 dBm

 

This performance marked a substantial upgrade from previously inconsistent or weak coverage, enabling uninterrupted communication across key operational zones.

Project Highlights

Smooth Execution: Despite initial access limitations, the system was deployed without disrupting mine operations.

Strategic Network Design: The use of WilsonPro industrial signal boosters and long-range antennas enabled a localized network distribution hub based on the Silo structure.

Seamless Integration: The solution blended with existing infrastructure and enhanced communication efficiency without overhauling the mine’s current systems.

This project showcases Bolton Technical’s ability to deliver industrial-grade cellular connectivity in complex, high-demand environments. By enhancing mobile communication at Sibanye’s Driefontein Five Shaft Mine, the solution not only improved day-to-day management communication but also supported a safer and more connected work environment - vital for operational continuity in one of South Africa’s most prominent gold mining operations.