How Predictive and Reactive Monitoring Can Ensure Ongoing Mine Safety

When it comes to ensuring ongoing safety performance of mining and civil operations, understanding the difference between predictive and reactive monitoring, as part of a risk management plan, is key.

What is Predictive Monitoring?

Predictive monitoring anticipates future exposure based on past performance data. The predictive technologies and software solutions currently used within the industry allow mine operators to monitor and detect wall movement to determine when it will become a problem and when a collapse is likely to occur. Predictive monitoring enables operations to function more efficiently and make informed decisions when it comes to risk mitigation. Therefore, predictive slope stability radars and lasers are effective in detecting and warning of an impending mine collapse, dam failure, rockfall or landslide.

What is Reactive Monitoring?

Reactive monitoring minimises the severity of safety events and threats by detecting, tracking and alarming on moving geohazards. The real-time warning alerts mine operators and surrounding communities of a breach or collapse. These monitoring solutions track and alert on already moving geohazards post-collapse, instigating early action or evacuation with alarm outputs, including lights and sirens.

GroundProbe’s Predictive and Reactive Monitoring Solutions

No two mine sites are the same with every site posing unique challenges requiring varied measures of mitigation. With the broadest range of technologies and services for real-time geohazard monitoring available globally; GroundProbe offers a range of both predictive and reactive monitoring solutions, with varying applications based on need.

GroundProbe’s seven predictive monitoring systems include five Slope Stability Radars: SSR-Omni; SSR-XT; SSR-FX; SSR-SARx; SSR-Agilis; a GMS laser solution and GML convergence monitoring.

SSR-Omni

This full-coverage, high-resolution system offers a real-time monitoring and alarming solution by providing an all-encompassing scan to detect hotspots of movements and the delivery of quality data.

SSR-XT

A tactical, targeted solution, the SSR-XT critically monitors known movements posing a potential or immediate threat to mining operations. Critical for the safety of known high-risk areas, the SSR-XT provides fast data transfer to facilitate a quick response time and immediate alarming.

SSR-SARx

Designed for high resolution, long-range monitoring, the SSR-SARx is highly beneficial for large mine sites. It can detect very slow-moving deformation over long periods of time that may not be detected by short-term monitoring.

SSR-FX

This strategic, broad-area solution allows for effective predictive monitoring by detecting new risks and hazards across a vast area. SSR-FX determines hotspots of movement through high-speed scanning, enabling the system to manage atmospheric changes and deliver data faster.

SSR-Agilis

SSR-Agilis is a safety-critical solution that protects personnel and equipment in active working areas of a mine site. A standalone vehicle monitoring system, the SSR-Agilis transmits real-time audible and visual alerts to operational crews to ensure interruptions and accidents are avoided. The complete, end-to-end system captures data, processes and alarms.

GML (Convergence Monitoring)

The GML is an underground monitoring solution, capable of detecting rock and ground support movement. This system is designed to meet the unique needs of any operation, with both continuous or periodic monitoring solutions. GML’s continuous submillimetre accuracy allows it to detect even the slightest rock and ground support movement, ensuring the best chance of an immediate response.

GMS-Prism and GMS-Dual

These long-term, background monitoring tools detect and measure deformation on tailings dams, dumps and cuttings. Both GMS-Prism and GMS-Dual include features that elevate them beyond typical robotic total stations. Users have complete access to the systems’ entire suite of charting, analysis and alarming tools.

RGR-Velox

GroundProbe’s RGR-Velox is an innovative, proactive and reactive monitoring and alarming solution for tailings dam breaches and large slope failures. This high-precision monitoring and alarming tool combines both predictive and reactive monitoring to set a new global standard. RGR-Velox sweep scans an entire area instantly to capture actionable information in real-time. RGR-Velox can pinpoint small moving objects with precise accuracy. In addition, it offers completely customisable alarms, giving the end user the ability to design and tailor alarms that are best suited to their specific site challenges and conditions.

Thanks to RGR-Velox, GroundProbe now offers a comprehensive approach to risk-based monitoring for optimum safety. While predictive monitoring is an effective way to mitigate an incident before it occurs, the addition of a reactive solution can ensure that the severity of events and threats are decreased.

Now, by providing a combination of predictive and reactive monitoring technologies, paired with the ultimate in software and customer support, means GroundProbe can assist the industry to better manage risk and ensure maximum mine safety.