Real-time Geotechnical and Hydrological Monitoring in Mining: Enhancing Safety, Efficiency and Predictive Insights with MineOne

Real-time Geotechnical and Hydrological Monitoring in Mining: Enhancing Safety, Efficiency and Predictive Insights with MineOne

Geotechnical Monitoring – A Call to Action

Whether operating in deep underground shafts or expansive open pits, today’s mines must contend with geotechnical risks, water management, and real-time operational demands. From pit wall stability in surface operations to seismic threats underground, integrated monitoring solutions are rapidly becoming the backbone of safe, efficient mining.

Digitalisation in Action

Building on our previous discussion about the transformative potential of smart geotechnical monitoring in underground mining operations, this third edition delves deeper into the practical applications of the MineOne™ solution. In Part 1, we outlined why a smart monitoring approach is essential for maintaining safe underground environments. Part 2 then demonstrated how these innovative systems can revolutionise operational efficiency in mines.

Now, in this final part of our series, we look into how the system – developed in close collaboration with expert partners like Ramjack, tackles some of the most pressing geotechnical challenges faced by underground mines, including structural damage, water ingress, and seismic activity.

As we explore these advanced monitoring techniques in greater detail, we invite you to discover how the next generation of digital geotechnical and hydrological monitoring, powered by MineOne™ and backed by Ramjack’s deep mining expertise, is setting new benchmarks in underground mine safety and operational excellence. Here’s a closer look at how it all comes together to create a safer, more efficient, and future-ready mining operation.

How It Works: Smart Monitoring in Action

Damage and Hydrology Monitoring: Proactive Risk Management

Damage to underground infrastructure and uncontrolled water ingress pose significant threats to safety and operational efficiency. MineOne™’s Geotechnical and Hydrological Monitoring solution incorporates specific monitoring tools to address these risks:

  • Survey Peg-based Damage Logging
    • Engineers digitally log fractures and cracks using survey pegs as reference points.
    • Severity levels are assigned and tracked over time.
    • Automatic reminders ensure scheduled reassessments.
      Real-world example: A moderate crack near a structural beam is logged. Follow-ups and severity tracking help prevent escalation.
  • Hydrology Tracking
    • Categorises seepage into low, medium, or high-risk levels.
    • Enables prioritisation of urgent interventions.
  • Backfill and Convergence Monitoring
    • Monitors the integrity of backfilled areas.
    • Ensures compliance with environmental discharge limits at surface sites.
    • Manages surface water inflow and runoff post-blasting.
    • Monitors pit wall displacement and slope movement.
  • Surface Monitoring Capabilities
    • Tracks convergence rates to identify early warning signs of collapse.
    • Monitoring pit wall displacement and slope movement.
    • Managing surface water inflow and runoff post-blasting.
    • Compliance with environmental discharge limits at surface site.

Mining operations rely on proactive damage detection and effective water management to prevent costly failures and ensure a safe working environment. Reactore's solution provides the tools necessary to ensure that every potential risk is identified, mapped, and addressed before it can escalate.

A comprehensive view of real-time piezometer and water level sensor data, including instrument health, pressure trends, temperature variability, water levels, and alarm insights – enabling proactive groundwater management and risk mitigation in underground mining environments.

Seismic Event Detection and Risk Mitigation

Seismic hazards are ever-present in underground mining. MineOne™ provides a robust response framework:

  • Real-time Seismic Logging
    • Automatically records time, location, and magnitude.
    • Enables instant alerts and response protocols.
  • Lead and Lag Calculations
    • Maintains optimal spacing between excavation fronts.
    • Reduces stress concentration and rock burst risks.
  • Blasting Correlation Analysis
    • Matches seismic events with blasting data.
    • Refines future blasting strategies for minimal impact.
Correlating seismicity with other geotechnical data and visualising in a 3D interactive digital twin dashboard.

Production Optimisation and Performance Tracking

Safety isn’t the only win. MineOne™ enables performance gains through integrated production analytics. Contextual production data coupled with Geotechnical telemetry can provide invaluable insights that an isolated stand-alone geotechnical system cannot offer. The Production Performance Dashboard offers a real-time overview of key metrics like:

  • Excavation Progress vs. Plan
    • Visual dashboards compare planned vs. actual excavation levels.
    • Managers can immediately detect and correct delays.
  • Drilling and Blasting KPIs
    • Tracks drill hole utilisation, blast yield, and material recovery.
    • Refines techniques to reduce cost and waste.
  • Automated Efficiency Alerts
    • Flags underperformance via real-time triggers.
    • Enables swift operational corrections before larger issues arise.
Integrated production reporting data can provide invaluable context to a geotechnical monitoring solution.

By centralising all operational data in a single platform, Reactore empowers mining teams to identify areas for improvement, optimise workflows, reduce delays, and maximise resource utilisation. This leads to increased productivity, reduced costs, and improved overall operational efficiency.

Why MineOne™ Stands Apart?

Mining is an industry where precision and safety go hand in hand. What makes Reactore’s MineOne™ Geotechnical and Hydrological Monitoring Solution unique are:

  • Digital Twin Visualisation
    • Interactive 3D representation of the mine.
    • Continuously updated with geotechnical, seismic, and hydrological overlays.
  • Safety Through Prediction
    • Real‑time alerts plus AI‑driven models prevent disasters.
    • Ongoing risk assessment for ground movement, stress zones, and seismic shifts.
  • Efficiency and Cost Gains
    • In‑depth metrics help streamline planning while minimising costs.
    • Reduces unnecessary costs while boosting yield.
  • Compliance and Sustainability
    • Tracks hydrology, damage, and emissions for audit readiness.
    • Supports environmental compliance and ESG goals.
  • Integration Capabilities
    • MineOne can integrate with existing systems and data sources.
    • All data can be combined, leveraged, and visualised in a central platform.

A Future-Ready Solution

A glimpse of the MineOne Geotechnical Solution - deploy and run anywhere.

The MineOne™ Geotechnical and Hydrological Monitoring Suite doesn’t just provide data – they deliver actionable intelligence that transforms mining operations into safer, more efficient, and more profitable ventures. By seamlessly integrating with Ramjack’s hardware and consulting expertise, we ensure that every implementation is advanced, tailored to the unique needs of each mine, and backed by strong support and specialised knowledge. Together, we empower mines to achieve their operational goals and elevate their performance.

This deep dive into our MineOne™ Geotechnical and Hydrological Monitoring Solution showcases how technology is reshaping geotechnical management, improving safety, and streamlining operations. As the industry embraces automation and digital transformation, Reactore, with MineOne™ (powered by Devum™) and Ramjack remains committed to driving this change.

Whether you’re looking to prevent seismic risks, optimise blasting, or monitor water ingress in real time, our platform is tailored to your mine’s needs.

Ready to take a quantum leap in Mining Safety?

Elevate safety and efficiency in your underground or surface mining operations today. Schedule a demo to see MineOne™ Geotechnical Monitoring Solution in action – from pit slope monitoring, rock movement, convergence, and beyond.

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