Mining technologies

[PY2-88] Informatization of Underground Mine Operations Using Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)

○Zedrick Paul Lizardo Tungol¹, Hajime Ikeda¹, Youhei Kawamura¹ (1. Akita University)

Keywords:Mining Technology, Wireless Sensor Networks, Mine Informatization, Wi-fi ad hoc

The enclosed space of an underground mining operation hosts a plethora of issues for both the company and its workers. Amongst these issues, safety and productivity are the most crucial, hosting a large number of problems that are frequently encountered in such a mining venture. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have been proposed as a solution to some of these problems, using its many capabilities such as environmental monitoring, position tracking, communication, and more. This study aims to investigate previous research and recent advances in using WSNs in the informatization of an underground mine, as well as propose new possible systems that will take advantage of WSNs’ capabilities for the overall improvement of an underground mine. During the study it was found out that in addition to WSN’s ability for monitoring ambient qualities in the underground environment, the system also has low power consumption and subsequently, improved cost efficiency. Furthermore, they are relatively easy to set up and require minimal and inexpensive maintenance. However, it can be said that the main advantage of WSN lies in its name- wireless. This means that operations can do away with having to set up and maintain physical lines, which are prone to damage in the harsh environment of an underground mine, meaning that a reliable communications network can be established. There are various types of WSNs, such as ZigBee and Wi-fi ad hoc. Previous research on utilizing ZigBee in an underground Zinc mine proved to be successful, and as such, the study has then put its focus on Wi-fi ad hoc’s features such as the ability to perform peer-to-peer connection, and its seamless integration in a majority of modern smartphones and other electronic devices. With this, the study deems this technology to be very much applicable for use in an underground mining operation.