London Stock Exchange-listed biometric security products manufacturer RCG has launched a biometric-face recognition solution for the mining industry, in an effort to improve security and time attendance.
Most mines use swipe cards for time and attendance, but this technology is openhttp www oredressingprocessing com to abuse, says RCG System South Africa operations manager Mike Cox. He adds that cards can be swapped and even used by people who do not have legal access to the mines.
Further, Cox argues that biometric fingerprint access in mines is not a viable option, and previous facial recognition solutions were suitable for people with lighter skin.
"This was purely a technical issue in that less light is reflected from people with darker skin, which made the facial recognition system, not viable for the mining industry," he explains.
The RCG system operates as a standalone or integrated system to the corporate local area network and, with radio-frequency identification connectivity, it provides added functionality, such as asset tracking.
The face-recognition verification engine will be able to identify and alert management to unauthorised people entering the mine and will alleviate the problem of illegal miners or individuals underground.
The system also reduces costs for mining companies, as it is easier to track miners underground, control access and identify illegal miners.
"Security and time attendance in the mining industry have become a crucial issue. This is an area that has attracted much research, and RCG has tested its system to address these issues. The RCG system is efficient and overcomes the limitations and addresses the time and attendance and security challenges that mines are currently experiencing," Cox says.
RCG has also launched the M29 biometric fingerprint door lock featuring the latest fingerprint-recognition technology and an advanced semiconductor sensor last year.