A three-layer model for digital communication in a mine is proposed. Two basic platforms are discussed: A uniform transmission network and a uniform data warehouse. An actual,ControlNet based,transmission network plat-form suitable for the Jining No.3 coal mine is presented. This network is an information superhighway intended to inte-grate all existing and new automation subsystems. Its standard interface can be used with future subsystems. The net-work,data structure and management decision-making all employ this uniform hardware and software. This effectively avoids the problems of system and information islands seen in traditional mine-automation systems. The construction of the network provides a stable foundation for digital communication in the Jining No.3 coal mine. A three-layer model for digital communication in a mine is proposed. Two actual platforms are discussed: A uniform transmission network and a uniform data warehouse. An actual, ControlNet based, transmission network plat-form suitable for the Jining No.3 coal mine This network is an information superhighway intended to inte-grate all existing and new automation subsystems. Its standard interface can be used with future subsystems. The net-work, data structure and management decision-making all employment this uniform hardware and software . This effectively avoids the problems of system and information islands seen in traditional mine-automation systems. The construction of the network provides a stable foundation for digital communication in the Jining No.3 coal mine.