Leica Geosystems Mining/Locata

Leica Geosystems Mining has announced an exclusive industry partnership with Locata Corporation Pty Ltd to provide the mining industry with a high-precision radio positioning system that is not reliant on GPS. The new system, known as the Leica Jigsaw Positioning System (Jps), deploys ground-based LocataLite transmitters, which serve, says Leica, “as a new constellation of ground-based satellites or alternative points of reference that can be used in conjunction with, or completely independent of, the GPS satellite network.” According to Leica, the transmitters work without the added correction, communication or other assistance normally needed in high-precision GPS systems and can function in deep pits or against high walls that can block satellite signals.

Within minutes of being turned on, says Leica, the LocataLites generate an autonomous, nanosecond-accurate positioning network through a new synchronization process called “TimeLoc.” According to Leica, each LocataLite unit becomes the functional equivalent of a GPS satellite and thus creates an alternative point of reference for the positioning network. LocataLites can be placed in any mining area requiring additional coverage, says the company, and can be permanently positioned on site or moved as needed.