Nexans Chile has developed a new reflective mining cable that is highly visible in low-light conditions underground. A reflective tape protected by a transparent sheath wraps around the cable, reflecting ambient light from equipment and allowing the cable to be easily seen. This helps prevent the cable from being crushed or damaged. The reflective cable can be used in underground mining applications as well as above ground in locations with limited sunlight, improving safety and extending the cable's lifespan. The new cable builds on Nexans Chile's previous development of a fluorescent mining cable.

1. Issue N°20: 8 SEPTEMBER, 2010
Darkness at noon
“Innovations often breed new innovations. What we learned with
fluorescent cables inspired us to create a new reflective mining cable.”
Jorge Cofre
A guiding light
To meet safety needs in areas deep underground that
never see daylight, Nexans Chile has come up with a new
special mining cable that is highly visible under the glare of
external electric lights (lights, helmet lamps, and vehicle
headlamps).
No more hide and seek
A reflective tape protected by an extra heavy-duty
transparent TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) sheath
reflects ambient light, thus revealing the presence of cables
used to power and control cutters, loaders, scoopers and
other machines. This protects them from being crushed
and damaged, and extends their lifespan.
Wide applicability
Reflective cables can be used both in underground and in
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About this innovaction: Unit : Nexans Chile Contact: jorge.cofre@nexans.comCat. : Product
Reflective cables can be used both in underground and in
open cast mining applications, and could also power
equipment housed in building basements, mountain
tunnels, or in the Arctic or Antarctic, where sunlight is
unavailable for only part of the year.
Dark reflections
This new development is a follow-up to the Chilean
fluorescent mining cable which won the 2009 Innovaction
Award (see Innovaction #18, 2009). Fluorescent cables are
limited to places where there is enough sunlight during the
day to generate nighttime fluorescence. So a design was
needed for permanently dark environments. Cables
wrapped with reflective tapes were either quickly soiled or
easily damaged, while extruding a compound over
reflective tapes deprived them of the reflective
characteristics.
Slithering striped snake
The clue to success was a highly resistant reflective tape
wrapped around the core of an SHD-GC mining energy
cable protected by a tough, clear sheath. This creates a
distinctive green spiral that twists and turns in the shadowy
landscape, making it easy to spot and avoid.