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iPackets International: Recent U.S. Mining Tragedies Underscore Need for iPackets' iPMine Communications Technology
By: Marketwire
Feb. 2, 2006 08:09 PM
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VANCOUVER, BC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/02/06 -- iPackets International, Inc. ("iPackets") (OTC: IPKL), a global developer and provider of a wide range of wireless and communications solutions for selected enterprises including the mining industry, announced today that it intends to leverage new federal legislation as well as West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin's call for increased safety in the state's mining sector to accelerate the company's market presence in the United States. iPackets is the developer and marketer of iPMine, a two-way wireless communications solution to track, monitor, and communicate with both miners and equipment in real time.
New federal legislation soon will require coal companies to provide miners with emergency communicators and tracking devices, and to store extra air supplies underground. That legislation also mandates that companies report mine accidents within 15 minutes or face a $100,000 penalty.
In a separate development, the Associated Press reported this morning that miners at all 544 West Virginia mines began their shifts today with lectures on safety, following a request from Gov. Manchin for all West Virginia mines to conduct safety checks before continuing operations. Gov. Manchin called for immediate safety checks Wednesday afternoon, and an industry group that represents 80 percent of the state's coal producers said Thursday its members were complying.
Already this year, sixteen miners have died in four separate accidents at West Virginia mines, the latest two of these in two separate mines on Wednesday.
"This week's developments tragically highlight the importance of implementing a mine safety and enhanced communications system such as iPackets' iPMine product, which provides the tools to assist search and rescue efforts as well as mitigate human loss and disruption of mining operations," said Naiel Kanno, president and CEO of iPackets. "The new federal safety legislation and increased public awareness that these tragedies have caused will facilitate our domestic marketing and sales efforts, ultimately creating value for our shareholders."
