MINE VENTILATION
As the underground mining space becomes more complex, is it inevitable that we head for Level 5 VoD systems? Dan Gleeson looks into this
Air apparent
Wireless Ventilation Monitors give mine operators a practical way to view airflow conditions in real time using the same network already supporting communications, tracking and gas monitoring, according to IWT
Ventilation is one of the most important systems in underground mining – it supports safe working conditions, helps remove gases and contaminated air and keeps active areas ready for production.
However, as mines become more complex, managing ventilation with local controls, manual inspections or isolated systems can make it difficult to understand what is really happening underground.
This is where Smartflow Ventilation from Becker Mining Systems and LASEC Technology Systems brings value, according to the companies.
Smartflow Ventilation is designed to give mining operations a clearer and more connected view of their ventilation system. Through Smartflow’ s 3D environment, operators can visualise ventilation assets, monitor equipment status, review alarms and follow key environmental conditions from the control room. Instead of working with data from multiple interfaces, the operation can bring fans, sensors, control devices and historical data into one platform.
The system can integrate main and auxiliary fans, gas monitoring stations, airflow sensors, communication nodes, PLCs, variable frequency drives and other existing field equipment.“ This flexibility allows Smartflow Ventilation to be adapted to different mine layouts and different levels of automation, whether the site is starting with basic monitoring or looking to move toward more advanced control strategies,” Becker says.
A key advantage of Smartflow Ventilation is that it can be implemented in stages. A mine can begin by monitoring ventilation assets and collecting historical information. Later, the system can expand to include remote control, event scheduling, gas monitoring, airflow measurement, automatic doors or integration with personnel and vehicle location systems.
This makes the solution practical for both new projects and existing operations, according to the company.“ Smartflow does not require the mine to replace all of its infrastructure at once,” Becker says.“ Instead, it can connect with equipment already installed underground and help bring that information into a digital operating environment.”
From the control room, the team can see the status of ventilation equipment, identify alarms, review operating history and support faster communication with personnel in the field.“ When the installed infrastructure allows it, operators can also perform remote actions such as fan start, stop or speed adjustment,” the company explains.“ This helps reduce dependency on local-only operation and gives the mine better visibility when conditions change.”
Smartflow Ventilation also supports environmental supervision, according to the company. Gas sensors can provide visibility of underground air quality conditions, while airflow sensors can help monitor the performance of ventilation in ramps, ducts or working areas. By combining this information with equipment status and historical records, the platform gives operations and maintenance teams a better way to review behaviour, detect abnormal conditions and support continuous improvement, Becker says.
For mine operators, the value is clear: better visibility, better coordination and better use of ventilation information. Smartflow Ventilation helps connect what happens underground with the decisions
12 International Mining | JUNE 2026