Green, hybrid communication network for localization in underground mines

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The mining industry is a significant contributor to the Canadian economy, requiring close to 100,000 people to be hired by 2020. However, mining workers are exposed to five times higher occupational hazards than the industrial average. In addition, the mining sector also uses a significant amount of energy and a major source of pollution. Until the recent MINER act, there is little interest in providing communication services in mines. The MINER act made tracking all coal miners mandatory, which will require a reliable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure. Such a system will significantly improve worker safety and enable effective locating and rescuing missions after disasters. Deployment of ICT will also play a key role in reducing the energy consumption making the mines smarter.