When most people think about mining, they picture dump trucks, drills, and remote operations. Few consider what happens behind the scenes—particularly in the places miners live, sleep, and prepare for each shift. FIFO camps (fly-in-fly-out) are more than just accommodations. They’re a high-functioning ecosystem, and at the center of that ecosystem is something often overlooked: access control.
This year, smart security providers like Salto are making waves in the mining sector, not by selling more hardware, but by offering solutions that reshape safety, inclusion, and even camp culture.
FIFO camp with controlled entry points marked. Credit: Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The New Frontier: Smart Access for Smarter Mining
In traditional FIFO setups, access control was as basic as swipe cards or keyed entry. But modern mining camps are rapidly adopting wireless, centralized access systems that offer more than just open-and-close functionality.
Salto, one of the technology leaders in this space, has introduced intelligent systems that integrate:
- Zone-based access permissions (e.g., kitchen staff don’t access engineering zones)
- Real-time entry tracking for safety and incident response
- Touch-free credentials via mobile phones or wearables
- Temporary access for contractors or new hires
Unlike traditional setups, these systems reduce the risk of unauthorized entry, improve response time during emergencies, and significantly cut down on key loss or duplication.
This isn’t just about convenience—it’s a fundamental shift in how mining security is managed at the frontline of operations.
Security Meets Inclusion: Access Control and Workforce Diversity
There’s another layer to this story that often goes unnoticed: how access control can promote workplace inclusion.
As the mining industry works to boost workforce diversity, particularly gender and cultural inclusion, FIFO camps must adapt to accommodate different needs—especially around privacy, safety, and shared spaces.
Here’s where smart access control systems offer unexpected value:
- Private access to gender-designated facilities (without broadcasting preferences)
- Custom schedules for different shift types (accommodating part-time workers or caretakers)
- Safe zones or private entry for vulnerable or first-time FIFO staff
- Cultural or dietary-specific dining zones, accessible via programmed credentials
In effect, the access card becomes more than a key—it becomes a tool for personalizing the worker experience. For industries often criticized for being slow to change, this is a quiet revolution happening where people live, not just where they work.
Keyless entry device on a mining camp dormitory door. (Henan K-Home Steel Structure Co., Ltd.)
Real-World Impact: What Happens When Access Gets Smarter
Let’s take a practical example.
At a remote Western Australia FIFO camp operating with over 800 residents, Salto’s system was rolled out to replace outdated magnetic keypads. Within two months, the following improvements were noted:
- 38% drop in unauthorized zone access attempts
- 50% reduction in lost access devices
- Improved emergency response audit trails
- Positive feedback in resident satisfaction surveys, citing “more privacy” and “clearer personal zones”
Security managers reported they could also better manage contractor traffic, ensuring only licensed workers accessed high-risk operational zones.
From a compliance perspective, this means fewer safety breaches and faster responses during audits or investigations.
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The Bigger Picture: Laying the Groundwork for Culture Shift
It’s tempting to see access control as just a logistical upgrade. But in reality, it’s laying the groundwork for culture change.
By enabling invisible protection and personal boundaries, mining companies signal that safety and dignity are just as important as output. And in a workforce that’s becoming more multi-generational, gender-diverse, and tech-savvy, this kind of signal matters.
As the mining industry grapples with its public image and the demand for inclusive employment, how it manages the everyday experience of its FIFO workforce could become a major competitive differentiator.
What Comes Next?
Access control innovation is just one part of the larger digital transformation of mining. The next phase may include:
- Integration with mental health monitoring systems (voluntary opt-in)
- Predictive access alerts using machine learning
- Voice-activated entries or wearable credentials synced with medical alerts
- Direct integration into incident reporting platforms
For now, companies like Salto are setting a new standard—not just for doors and gates, but for how mining companies think about people.
Conclusion: Access Control as a Human Solution
Mining camp access control has evolved from a basic security task into a human-focused infrastructure strategy. In doing so, it touches everything from efficiency and compliance to inclusion and wellbeing.
In a world where technology is everywhere, it’s refreshing to see it used not just to extract resources, but to protect the people who make mining possible.
