White Paper: Advancing Surface Mine Safety with JAWS Proximity Detection
Prepared by: Conspec International
Date: May 2025
Executive Summary
Over the past two decades, surface mining operations across Latin America have experienced repeated fatal accidents involving interactions between heavy equipment and personnel—many of which could have been avoided with the implementation of proximity detection technologies.
In Chile (2004), a utility truck operator was fatally struck by a shovel during night operations in limited visibility. In Peru (2011), a contract technician inspecting a haul road was killed when a dozer reversed into his parked vehicle. More recently, in Colombia (2019), a mine foreman was crushed when a haul truck ran over a light vehicle at a pit intersection—a scenario tragically repeated in Peru in early 2025, where another foreman lost his life under nearly identical conditions. (*see appendix A)
These incidents share common threads: limited situational awareness, blind zones, and human error exacerbated by dynamic surface conditions. They also share a painful conclusion—they were preventable.
The JAWS Proximity Detection System, distributed in Latin America by Conspec International, directly addresses these longstanding vulnerabilities. By leveraging radio-frequency awareness, GPS-assisted elevation tracking, and real-time alert systems, JAWS enhances both operator and pedestrian safety—before collisions occur. This system doesn’t just reduce risk—it fills a decades-old safety gap that conventional protocols have failed to close.
As mining operations grow in scale and complexity, the imperative to protect workers using intelligent, integrated safety systems becomes non-negotiable. JAWS offers a proven, infrastructure-light solution to transform reactive safety cultures into proactive, zero-harm environments. This white paper outlines how the JAWS system addresses critical safety challenges in open-pit environments and demonstrates how its scalable features integrate into mine operations without disrupting production.
Introduction: A Wake-Up Call for the Industry
The tragic accident in Peru illustrates a fundamental vulnerability in surface mining: limited operator visibility and delayed hazard recognition. Even with strong procedural controls, high-risk blind zones persist around large mobile equipment. Technology must bridge the gap between what operators can see and what they need to know in real time.
The JAWS System: Distributed Detection for Safer Operations
2.1 Overview
The JAWS (Jannatec Advanced Warning System)—distributed in Latin America by Conspec International—is a radio-frequency-based proximity detection solution that operates without relying on fixed infrastructure. JAWS establishes live proximity alerts between:
- Vehicles and personnel
- Vehicle-to-vehicle interactions
- Workers and fixed hazards
Designed for harsh surface environments, JAWS uses 900 MHz RF signals and GPS-assisted elevation tracking to define context-specific zones around mobile assets.
2.2 Alert Zones
- Working Zone: Standard operating distance
- Warning Zone: Yellow alert prompts caution
- Critical Zone: Red screen and audible alarms indicate immediate hazard
These zones dynamically adjust based on environmental factors and signal strength.
Core Safety Benefits
3.1 In-Cab Awareness with SMARTVIEW
The JAWS SmartView tablet, installed in the operator cab, provides a multi-quadrant interface to track proximity events in real time. Alerts include:
- Visual cues (yellow and red)
- Asset type and quantity tracking
- Full-screen alerts for critical proximity
- Optional haptic feedback and custom audio prompts
Operators stay informed without diverting attention from their task.
3.2 Mandatory Pre-Shift Functionality Checks
Before equipment operation begins, JAWS requires users to perform a system test:
- Verifies RF communication and alert functions
- Notifies operator of PASS or FAIL status
- Enforces audio lockouts until system is confirmed functional
This prevents operators from starting shifts with non-operational safety devices.
3.3 Worker Wearables: Cap Lamps and Proximity Tags
JAWS-enabled cap lamps and tags alert pedestrians via a blue LED light when they are within a detection zone of nearby vehicles. This wearable system ensures:
- Two-way alerting (operator + pedestrian)
- Compatibility with cap lamps or standalone proximity tags
- Flexible mounting options for hard hats, lapels, or belts
All proximity devices are tested before each shift at verification stations.
Seamless Integration into Mine Workflows
JAWS works as a central hub for operational safety and visibility:
- Backup Camera Integration: Proximity alerts continue during reversing
- Fatigue Management: Screens display alerts alongside fatigue data
- TPMS & Load Monitoring: Equipment health displayed on same interface
- Training-Based Access Control (TBAC): Access limited to certified operators
This allows operations to consolidate monitoring and alert systems onto a single interface.
Scalable to Meet Future Safety Goals
JAWS is designed to scale with operational maturity:
- Supports Level 7 (awareness) to Level 9 (collision intervention)
- Same SmartView interface used throughout
- Hardware upgrades enable functionality growth without system overhauls
Conspec International works closely with clients across Latin America to plan customized upgrade paths aligned with safety targets and capital budgets.
Zero Harm Starts with Proactive Detection
The JAWS system—resold and supported by Conspec International in Latin America—is more than a compliance tool. It is a critical safety system that extends awareness, enforces safety checks, and empowers workers to operate confidently in high-risk zones.
By preventing collisions, enabling early alerts, and integrating with daily workflows, JAWS helps eliminate preventable fatalities—like the one we witnessed in Peru.
Contact Us For More Information:
Conspec International
Alex Cortez, CEO
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.conspecinternational.com
*Appendix A – Selected Fatal Incidents in Latin American Surface Mining (2004–2025)
| Year | Country | Incident Description | Proximity System Relevance |
| 2004 | Chile | A utility truck operator was struck by a shovel bucket during night operations. | Lack of equipment-to-vehicle alert in low visibility. |
| 2011 | Peru | Technician performing haul road checks was fatally injured by a reversing bulldozer. | No personnel-to-equipment proximity alert in place. |
| 2013 | Mexico | A worker on foot was run over by a front-end loader at a stockpile. | Pedestrian detection and zone warning absent. |
| 2017 | Brazil | Excavator collided with a light-duty vehicle during shift change at pit entrance. | Vehicle-to-vehicle alert could have prevented entry. |
| 2019 | Colombia | Foreman was crushed in a pickup when a haul truck struck him at a blind intersection. | Absence of warning zone and driver alert system. |
| 2023 | Argentina | Maintenance crew working near a parked truck were unaware it was remotely reactivated. | Critical zone breach went unnoticed. |
| 2025 | Peru | Foreman vehicle run over by haul truck—similar to 2019 Colombia case. | No in-cab alert or pedestrian detection system. |
References and Sources
- SERNAGEOMIN Accident Reports (Chile, 2004–2015): Annual fatality summaries available from the National Geology and Mining Service.
- OSINERGMIN (Peru): Public bulletins and incident logs, including fatal events in 2011 and 2025.
- ANM – Agencia Nacional de Minería (Colombia): Safety bulletins, 2019 fatality report.
- DNPM/MTP – Brazil: Incident statistics and case studies published by the Ministry of Labor.
- News media reports and internal safety reviews (confidential sources for 2023 Argentina incident).
- Industry insights from mine safety officers and incident debriefs (compiled during 2020–2024 regional safety audits).