Locata and Leica Geosystems Extend Partnership

Leica Geosystems Mining and Locata Corporation have announced the extension of their technology partnership in the Mine Machine Automation and Mine Fleet Management Market until June 30, 2014. The extension guarantees the ongoing, commercial provision to the global mining industry of the Leica Jigsaw Positioning System (Jps), powered by Locata technology. 

The continuance of the technology partnership between Leica Geosystems Mining and Locata Corporation comes on the back of a huge body of work, which has resulted in the first successful operational deployment of the Leica Jps network. The technology at the core of the Leica Jps is a combination of the “Local Constellation” (pioneered by Locata Corporation and adopted by the U.S. Air Force) and Leica Geosystems’ technology portfolio.

The co-developed Leica Jps network is a high-precision solution that augments standard RTK GPS/GLONASS signals with Locata signals, ensuring no positioning signal loss or machine down time, even against high walls or in the deepest open pit mines, Leica said.

“It is with great pleasure that we officially announce our continued alliance with Locata Corporation,” said Haydn Roberts, CEO, Leica Geosystems Mining. “Through this partnership, the Jigsaw Positioning System (Jps) will continue to meet and exceed industry expectations. In being available to augment any GPS/GNSS network on any site, we are truly providing a new capability for mining applications, enabling them to operate with unprecedented signal up time and benefit from the huge associated financial return. And we know it works — we have the data.”

“Through Jps we offer autonomy from sole reliance on satellite-based positioning networks," Roberts said. "In accordance with Leica Geosystems Mining strategy, our technology for machine automation and now HP RTK positioning is completely OEM independent. No longer will machines stop work while waiting for the elusive satellite signal to reconnect. The Jps will seamlessly augment the signals, no matter on what machine, on what system, in what fleet.”

Nunzio Gambale, CEO and co-founder of Locata Corporation, said, “Locata is truly delighted to extend, for a further two years, the global exclusive rights Leica Geosystems has to integrate and sell our revolutionary technology into the mining market. They deserve this extension. Mr. Haydn Roberts runs a team that is talented, experienced and motivated. They have proven to us many times over that they are some of the finest GPS engineers in the world.”

The success of the combined technologies and continued relationship between both parties ensures the Leica Jigsaw Positioning System will be commercially available to the mining industry globally from August this year.

“This Leica-Locata relationship has blossomed over what is now many years of cooperation, and it is one which we value highly,” said Gambale. “The Locata team is proud to be partnering with such a respected and incredibly innovative company.”