Lightning Regulations for the Mining Industry in South Africa

as per the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 

You are required by the law of the Mine & Health Safety Act to possess early warning lightning detection equipment and to protect your staff and installations from lightning strikes

As a mine operator you are bound by the regulations set out in the Mine & Health Safety act to be in possession of an early warning lightning detection device to protect your staff and installations.

The excerpts read:

The employer at any mine must take reasonably practicable measures to
ensure that where the initiation of explosives takes place by means of
electricity and where there is a risk of an explosive charge being initiated by
lightning, operations in connection with the preparation or initiation of
explosive charges are not started or continued on the approach of or during
a thunderstorm and that no person remains, or is caused or permitted by any
other person to remain, within an area where any person may be injured by
the accidental initiation of explosives.

The employer must take reasonably practicable measures to prevent persons
at or near conveyor belt installations from being injured due to lightning directly
or indirectly striking the installation.

Handheld Lightning Detection Systems for Managers and Staff in the Field

The Thunderbolt U1 Lightning Detector

Our Thunderbolt U1 handheld lightning detector is the ultimate lightning warning system for mines. This device will detect lightning within a range of 120 kilometres. For large mines this is an essential device for mine managers out in the field to have with them.

Thunderbolt Lightning Detector U1

The Talos Rugged, Drop Proof and Waterproof Lightning Detector

Our Talos handheld rugged, drop proof and waterproof lightning detector is the ultimate lightning warning system for smaller mines. This device will detect lightning within a range of 40 kilometres. For smaller mines this is the perfect choice, it is an extremely accurate and reliable device giving you the perfect early warnings you need to protect your staff and installations.

Talos Rugged Lightning Strike Detector (Waterproof High G-Shock)

Fixed Lightning Detection Systems for Large Mining Operations with Sirens and SMS warnings

The Boltek Advanced Lightning GSM Warning System

This system can be setup as either a complete standalone (autonomous) unit or connected to a PC for local viewing of lightning (concentric distance rings) with provided Electric Field Monitor Software.

By adding the ERL-10 Lightning Relay Module system (included) can now alert via sirens/stack lights and can also send sms’s with the addition of a GSM Commander. Once unit is setup it can run completely automatically NO USER
INTERVENTION REQUIRED.

The Boltek has a range of detection limited to 32 kilometres but is also very advanced in that it can detect static charge build up in the air even when there are no visible signs of any thunderstorms developing.

There is also long range detection versions of the Boltek available but these are all subject to quotation and analysis of your requirements.

Boltek Advanced Lightning GSM Warning System (ERL10-KIT1)

The Talos Early Warning Lightning System with Siren

This system is compact, easy to setup and gives both visible and audible alerts to control staff who can warn staff and managers in other areas of the mine. This system is so flexible that it can be customised to add additional sirens, send SMS alerts etc.

Talos Lightning Detector with Horn/Siren (SFD-1000-R)