NETWORKS & COMMS
a single one which also increases accuracy and reliability.
Another one is worker safety – based on wearable tags, VPOD, gyroscopes, accelerometers, microphones and video analytics and other sensors you known where each worker is, what is their health status and what environment are they working in. If an accident happens you can know in real time and raise the alarm but will also know the context – such as a gas sensor has picked up elevated readings of carbon monoxide, for example. The AI will connect the dots and then also suggest a solution – for example a rescue team equipped with gas masks. You can know through motion data from worker phones if they have fallen and how hard. You can then send them a message to ask if they are OK and respond appropriately if there is no answer.
IWT on wireless networks and smart sensors
IM spoke to Barbara Wagner at Innovative Wireless Technologies, Inc about how mining operations are leveraging wireless technologies not only for communications and personnel tracking but also for gas detection, intelligent ventilation monitoring, and operational data.
Historically, mine communication was built on leaky feeder radio systems and hardwired infrastructure. While functional, these cabled systems were limited in bandwidth, slow to adapt to changing mine layouts, and unable to support the increasing number of connected devices now common in industrial environments. Wagner:“ The wireless mesh network architecture uses a decentralized structure where each node( or device) communicates with others in the network, ensuring robust and selfhealing connectivity. As a mine expands or changes, nodes can be quickly deployed or recovered and the network adjusts accordingly, providing seamless data flow even in complex underground geometries.”
These wireless backbones enable a wide range of devices and applications, allowing mining companies to consolidate communications, environmental monitoring, asset tracking, and operational intel into a single infrastructure. That consolidation reduces both complexity and cost while increasing responsiveness and operational visibility.
Gas detection and ventilation has always been a cornerstone of underground safety. Methane, carbon monoxide, and other gases can accumulate quickly, often with little warning. In the past, miners relied on fixed-location sensors or carried separate handheld detectors, creating potential blind spots in coverage.
Wagner:“ Today, integrated wireless gas monitors like IWT’ s SENTINEL™ WGM + are changing the game. These devices not only continuously monitor the atmosphere but also transmit alerts in real time over the wireless network. Because communication and monitoring are housed within a single unit, response times improve dramatically, and miners receive immediate notifications of danger- no matter where they are in the mine.”
Even more importantly, this gas data doesn’ t just trigger alarms. It flows directly into centralised platforms where it can be visualised, logged, and analysed. Supervisors can identify trends, predict hazardous conditions, and implement proactive measures, moving the mine from reactive safety to predictive safety.
In addition to monitoring gas levels, underground airflow is a critical factor in maintaining safe and productive working conditions. Traditionally, ventilation monitoring relied on manual readings or fixed systems with limited feedback. These methods were labor-intensive and lacked the precision needed for real-time decisionmaking.
“ Modern systems solve these issues by embedding smart pressure sensors into the network. Using a combination of barometric and differential pressure measurements, these sensors accurately track how air is moving throughout the mine. Variations in pressure help operators identify blockages, leaks, or inefficiencies in the ventilation system.”
IWT says that what sets these systems apart is their intelligence. The sensors are equipped with features like temperature compensation, noise filtering, and data handling. These enhancements allow the devices to remain accurate and reliable in the extreme conditions found underground. Mines using IWT’ s wireless networks will soon have the option of adding ventilation monitoring sensors to existing SENTINEL™ Wireless Gas Monitors. With the new sensors installed, mines merely connect air tubing, and the system begins capturing valuable airflow data.
Collecting data is only half the battle. The other half is making it actionable. That’ s where platforms like IWT’ s Analytics come in. These tools aggregate data from various sources- gas monitors, ventilation sensors, tracking devices- and present it through visual dashboards and customisable reports, which provide clear indication on the actions need to be taken for safety and efficiency improvements.
For ventilation, the platform automatically calculates airflow volume and velocity from raw pressure readings from key locations across the mine. It can also adjust data based on reference points, such as elevation or external weather conditions, providing a more accurate picture of underground air movement.
Wagner adds:“ From a safety perspective, these insights are invaluable. Operators can spot anomalies early, validate modeling predictions, and ensure compliance with regulatory airflow requirements. From a productivity standpoint, consistent airflow helps equipment run more efficiently and supports better working conditions. Additionally, having all environmental and safety data on a single platform allows users to cross-reference trends. For example, comparing airflow data against gas readings can reveal why, when and where dangerous build-ups are occurring or are likely to occur, further enhancing predictive safety efforts.“ One of the biggest advantages of wireless mesh networks in mining is scalability. As operations expand, new nodes can be added easily to extend the network. Because the infrastructure supports multiple use cases- communications, tracking, and monitoring the value of the network grows with each additional application.
This modularity also supports fast technology adoption. Innovations like autonomous vehicles, remote equipment control, and AI-driven analytics are becoming more common in mining, and they all depend on fast, reliable data networks. Wireless systems are inherently better suited to these technologies than static, hardwired solutions.
Wireless networks are also more resilient. If one node fails, the system reroutes data through other paths, maintaining connectivity. This redundancy is critical in environments where uptime directly affects safety and profitability. Wagner:“ These integrated systems reduce the need for multiple, siloed technologies. They streamline decision-making, minimize downtime, and allow mines to adapt quickly as conditions and demands evolve.”
Mission critical networks in mining
Also the Mobile World Congress earlier this year, IM met with Duncan Hawkins, VP Dedicated Network Sales EMEA at Ericsson and talked about the topic of private wireless networks in mining.
On the mining sector in general he stated:“ Mines are often in remote places where mobile operators have chosen not to invest in coverage – as their priority is in high population density urban areas or hubs with large people movements like airports. So if their public network coverage is poor or non existent, running cabling to support WiFi for example in underground mines is very expensive – plus the speed of deployment is slow relative to private networks. Plus as mining is fast becoming more digital, with greater use of autonomous fleets, AI and autonomous sorting and processing, so the
32 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2025