Testimonial | Agnico Eagle

Managing Workforce Locations with TopVu

The Agnico Eagle Goldex Mining Operation is in Val-d’Or Quebec and employs over 450 people. The Goldex Optimization Group was looking:

  1. For a way to secure the access of the mine site as much as possible and to know precisely and quickly who is on the installation.
  2. To empower workers with a self-assessment questionnaire of symptoms free declaration station related to COVID-19
  3. To implement a reliable underground badging system, with a risk of error reduced to a minimum, that allows them to quickly see which worker is underground in order to avoid potential accidents during a blast, seismicity or emergency measures.

Introducing a system that could accurately document employee locations and help mitigate tagboard incidents offered clear advantages for safety systems, operational efficiencies, and regulatory compliance. 

SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

Agnico Eagle installed a TopVu system leveraging RFID technology coupled with an advanced software platform. All work was performed by the mine’s internal departments with guidance from TopVu’s support team. The TopVu checkpoint strategy allowed Goldex to acquire detection coverage throughout the mine.

Checkpoint #1

Symptom Free Declaration Station

Prior to entering the Agnico Eagle Goldex Operation, workers pass through a screening station to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in their workplace. This includes a thermal temperature measurement and a “Symptom Free Declaration Station”. When employees scan their KeyFob onto the station, they are declaring that they are free of any Covid symptoms. Then the turnstiles will grant then access to the site for the following 14 hours.

Symptom free declaration station at Agnico Eagle

“TopVu’s support team was attentive to our requests and offered us a good support through the creation and implementation of the system.”

Jonathan Picotte

Optimization group

Checkpoint #2

RFID Enabled Turnstiles

Both entrances to the property are equipped with RFID enabled turnstiles which offer two main benefits:
1. The turnstiles document workforce on the property.
2. The turnstiles are integrated with the TopVu software to implement business rules to reinforce procedural compliance.

  • When entering the site, employees who have not scanned their Fob at the screening station will be denied access to site.
  • When exiting the site, employees who have forgotten to Tag-Out will be denied permission to exit.
RFID Enabled Turnstiles at Agnico Eagle

“RFID turnstiles have proven to be very effective to secure the Goldex site in addition to our procedures in place.”

Jonathan Picotte

Optimization group

Checkpoint #3

TopVu's Digital eTagboard

TopVu’s patented eTagBoard is used as the mine’s underground check-in & check-out system. Each eTag has a unique RFID signature so the eTagBoard can continuously monitor eTags in real-time, resulting in a true/accurate digital representation of the workers tagged in.

The physical eTags serve as a visual backup during network or power interruptions.  TopVu’s digital transformation of the conventional TagBoard delivers live & historic records of tagging activity. It also integrates with other devices to detect tagboard incidents in real time.

TopVu's eTagboard at Agnico Eagle

Checkpoint #4

Cage Entrance, Portal & Shaft Stations

Each cage entrance, Portal access & underground shaft station is equipped with RFID scanners to detect miner’s wearable tags. In addition to live updates of worker’s “last known location”, these checkpoints are key elements to detecting tagboard incidents. When a worker is detected entering the cage or portal, TopVu software will verify that the worker’s e-Tag is on the eTagBoard.

If the worker has forgotten to tag-in, the software will trigger a system alert. An e-mail advisory and a message will be sent to the TopVu Message Center located in front of the cage entrances. An audible alarm is triggered, the name of the person who forgot to tag-in appears in red and this person must return to the common room and tag-in.

Agnico Eagle Cage Entrance, portal and shaft stations

“We really appreciate the collaboration between the Top-Vu team and our team. We were able to optimize the tool to identify if someone forgot to put on their badge so that it would meet our operational needs. This tool will not only identify events, but also communicate them effectively to our workers.”

Anick Goudreau

SST group

Checkpoint #5

Refuge | Muster Tap Stations (MTS)

Each Refuge Station is equipped with a TopVu Muster Tap Station. When an emergency is declared, workers are instructed to report to the nearest refuge station and tap their wearable RFID tags on the MTS. The TopVu software offers live/historical records of when workers have reached their safe assembly point. 

LOCATIONAL DATA FOR MINE RESCUE  

From the TopVu Software, First Responders can view and print emergency lists for surface workers (logged by RFID turnstiles) and for underground workers (logged by eTagBoard). The lists include worker Names, Supervisors, Departments, Tagboard Location, Date/Time of Last Known Location (which includes any checkpoint or MTS).

“With the muster tap station, we are able to locate workers in refuge much faster than conventional phone call, this is very important in emergency situation so missing workers can be found and rescue.”

Janie Blanchette

SST group

TOPVU GEN.2 SOFTWARE

TopVu has refined the software to provide modern tools to manage the enterprise system. Agnico Eagle users can login via PC, Tablet or Smartphone to view status, export records, print reports, or configure business rules to improve production efficiencies and safety systems. The REST API platform provides integration abilities that are current with industry standards.

Want to learn more?

Contact us to learn more about the entire suite of TopVu personnel tracking solutions. 

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