Case Study: Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. Streamlines Operations & Improves Morale With Dependable Connectivity Solution

Network Innovations provides remote communications solution for Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp., ensuring staff remain safe and connected.

 The challenge

In the hunt for profitable deposits, mining explorations are moving into more remote locations. With operations taking place in rural and sometimes inhospitable environments, reliable connectivity to keep teams safe, morale up, and operations moving is essential, but can be a challenge.

Appia Rare Earths and Uranium Corp. have extensive experience exploring and developing uranium and rare earth deposits in Canada’s Athabasca Basin area of northern Saskatchewan. Appia is currently focusing on continued exploration on its Alces Lake property, the largest exploration and diamond drilling program in the company’s history.

The lack of communications to Alces Lake proved to be a significant barrier for Appia. With 25 crew members working and living on this remote site, they required reliable connectivity to maintain business communications, connect with loved ones, and ensure they could contact health authorities should an emergency arise.

THE SOLUTION

Appia’s search for a resilient solution led them to Network Innovations, who for over 30 years has provided mining companies with dependable connectivity, for every phase of operation. In May 2021, Network Innovations worked with Appia to implement their solution.

To ensure flexible communications for both voice and data, a fixed satellite antenna, three VoIP phones, and three distributed wireless access points were installed on site. These operate on Network Innovations’ MAVERICK VSAT service which provides reliable satellite connectivity, helping Appia’s crew conquer communication challenges where and when they need it most.

Not only did Network Innovations provide connectivity, they also assisted in implementing the basic IT infrastructure on site, ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations. A true end-to-end package, from a single provider.

Offering bandwidth on demand, MAVERICK delivers the highest quality service with fixed monthly costs for remote teams in the field. This solution linked
Appia’s remote workforce to their front office which aids with business planning and decision making. Nic Guest, Vice President of Exploration, commented:
“We communicate with our President and CEO on a daily basis. We’re constantly sharing images, information, and presentations and are able to collaborate while I’m on site.”

The importance of crew morale and welfare was also a top priority for Appia. Using VoIP phones for telephone communications, their crew could easily connect between the site and home during personal downtime.

Since working alongside Network Innovations, Appia’s crew have maintained seamless communications. Within a tight timeframe, Network Innovations provided remote location connectivity for reliable internet, voice & video conferencing, and data transfers between their front office, loved ones, and teams in the field.

NI engineered the solution to withstand harsh conditions and that resiliency was tested shortly after installation. Alces Lake experienced flooding due to rapid snowmelt and with water levels rising for almost a month, Appia’s camp was underwater. There was concern that the fixed antenna would be severely damaged, however, once the site had recovered, Network Innovations’ solution delivered a seamless connection - just as before.

From crew safety to morale, Appia has peace of mind in the knowledge that their team can remain in touch with the outside world, anytime. Network Innovations continues to provide resilient and dependable communications, supporting Appia in their mission to Succeed. Anywhere.