In Part 1 of this discussion, we spoke about the benefits of using multi-point borehole extensometers as a structural integrity monitoring tool in a civil engineering environment. Of course, installing MPBXs is of no benefit on its own. They need to be monitored and provide useful data to be of any real value and make a meaningful contribution to safety. Once installed,...
As you well know, tunnels and other civil structures are subject to factors like shifting and subsidence, putting them at risk of sudden catastrophic failure in extreme circumstances and making them prone to long-term damage as they age. Obviously, continuous geotechnical monitoring of civil structures is one of the keys to ensuring safety, but unfortunately attempts to achieve this in the...
Mine and civil engineers often make use of a variety of geotechnical instruments to monitor the status and movement within geological features and man-made structures, mostly as part of their safety management programs. The data from these installed instruments is collected one of three ways: Manual Data Collection – A staff member moves through the site and connects a datalogger to each instrument in...
The failure of a tailings dam is one of the most catastrophic events that can happen at a mine. Not only will it threaten the lives and health of mine workers; cause vast amounts of damage to the mine property, vehicles and other equipment; and massively disrupt production for a long time, but if it’s not contained, a tailings dam...
The recently-released SMART Link-BLT wireless module makes data collection simpler than ever before. When paired with a tablet running the MDT SMART app, manual readings can be easily taken from instruments that that are not connected to a mesh sensor or other type of network. Wireless Multi-Instrument Compatibility. Simply connect a SMART Link-BLT wireless module to any MDT SMART instrument,...
A mine-wide monitoring network comprised of various geotechnical, hydrological, and other monitoring instruments is one of the keys to effective safety and productivity management in any underground mine. Battery powered wireless monitoring networks offer several advantages, including: 1. Cost-effectiveness. Because battery powered wireless nodes are self-powering, there is no need to create a power grid to run the sensor network or hard wire...
Controlling water levels in contained and uncontained aquifers, and monitoring the pore pressure of groundwater, usually by means of an array of piezometers, are vital parts of ensuring that any mine operates safely and does not experience productivity disruptions. Wireless piezometer monitoring has several advantages over manual data collection and cable-based monitoring networks, including: 1. They are rapidly deployable in mines of all...
As an engineer or manager of an open pit/surface mine, you no doubt spend a significant amount of time contending with water in the mine – whether it enters the mine as rain or surface water run-off, or originates as groundwater that seeps into low-lying areas of the mine, naturally or as a result of mining operations, or remains as...
Due to their nature, construction, and typical location, the operational status, safety, and productivity of underground mines (whether hard rock or soft rock) are heavily dependent on the geology and behaviour of rock masses in and around the mine. Because it is a highly variable material that exhibits significant variations in strength and the way it reacts to stresses, both natural...
Using an array of geotechnical instruments within an underground mine is a highly effective but relatively simple way to gather a lot of accurate data that can be used by mine engineers who are responsible for making decisions that affect safety and productivity. Who should be using geotechnical instruments? All mine owners/managers who take the safety of their personnel seriously...
