Burkina Faso, a West African country near the Sahara, is considered one of the most underdeveloped countries by a lack of natural resources. However, gold production has increased by 32% in 2011 in six gold mines, making it the fourth largest gold producer in Africa after South Africa, Mali and Ghana.Saturn and Saturn partner in Burkina Faso --International Wireless Ameritl, have been directly involved in helping to solve some of the challenges faced by the Nantou zinc mine in Burkina Faso to Glecore International AG of Switzerland.

Located in the north of Burkina Faso where the greatest threat to normalcy is safety, the largest challenge for Nantou zinc mine was the insecure social environment. Therefore, they needed an effective communication system they could rely on to protect the international travelers visiting or working on the mine sites. Besides, they also had geographical challenges. Burkina Faso borders in the north with the Sahara where is very dry and the mines are underground, so several geological studies were required as part of the process to ensure good communications.

In order to provide two-way radio coverage between the surface (approximately 15 Km radius) and underground mining facility, the Nantou zinc mine wanted to establish a 4-channel radio communication system so that their operators, engineers and mining experts could communicate with the various services on the ground.

Nantou chose Saturn 4G camera system without any hesitation when they wanted to build a more secure and reliable communication network, because they understood that the products offered by Saturn guaranteed the smooth running of the event.

During the whole project, Saturn and its partner Ameritel International Wireless provided reliable and professional support to customer. Equipped with Saturn 4G camera system, Nantou could still use the existing analog equipments from other manufacturers, which they already owned. Now workers in the tunnel, cranes, bulldozers, dumpers and in the fields feel more secure with the application of efficient Saturn system. It’s inspiring that all seven mines operating in Burkina Faso are now using Saturn tech equipments.