The mining industry is a critical component of the global economy, providing essential minerals for energy, construction, manufacturing, technology, and electric vehicles. However, mining presents inherent risks to workers, such as roof collapse, toxic gas exposure, asphyxiation, powered haulage, ground failure, and rockfall. While mining safety has significantly improved in recent years, new technologies are driving measurable improvement in miner safety.
One of the most effective training tools for miners is worksite simulation. A digital environment mirroring the physical worksite can provide training to less-experienced workers without exposing them to the hazards of the actual mine. A transformative innovation in this space is the implementation of immersive technology. Able to expose the worker to various challenges like weather, ground conditions for digging, or equipment configuration and control, immersive technology meets the user at their aptitude level.
Automated Robotics is becoming an increasingly vital part of high-risk industries. Using a machine for dangerous or remote work directly protects human workers. Automation such as autonomous trucks or robotic drills enables workers to remove themselves from hazardous situations, such as the mine’s lack of ventilation and water.
Mining robots can traverse flooded areas and carry imaging technology to identify minerals and other valuable contents of the mine. They can also survey remote regions of the mine and conduct inspections and surveys that humans would not be able to. Drones are another technology improving mining applications. These machines can enter locations not easily accessible on foot, capture images inside mines with areas with a high risk of collapse, and perform labor-intensive surveys, inspections, or mapping activities previously conducted by humans.
The use of sensors and monitors is also critical in improving mining safety. Data collection through sensors and monitors paints a picture of the current state of the miners and the worksite. Then, a device can issue an alert or trigger a corrective measure. An example of how monitors and sensors make mining safer is the assessment of rock movements. By monitoring these movements, workers can receive warnings regarding the potentially dangerous seismic activity. Monitoring the state of each helps reduce equipment wear and downtime while increasing worker safety.
Global positioning systems (GPS) have apparent benefits when monitoring workers deep in a mine. Tying GPS to wearables technology can also benefit miners in multiple ways. With their positions pinpointed, wearables can also detect heart rate and blood-oxygen levels, two key performance indicators for worker safety. The devices feed information to a central processor for assessment, alert expected hazards resulting from the measurements, and communicate work status to the surface team.
Mining carries enough risk without technology durability hindering working safety monitoring. Rugged, lightweight, high-performing technology is the centerpiece to achieving results and protecting miners. Rugged tablet solutions can instantly collect and transmit inspection data or convert radar signals into 2D images. This saves vital time to improve decision-making.
The dusty, volatile mining environment requires technology that can withstand harsh element exposure while delivering high performance. In addition, mining environments can see extreme temperatures, contain large drop distances, and often are high-humidity climates. Rugged tablets process data from immersive technology, automated or autonomous robotics, monitors and sensors, and wearable devices. This information provides the in-field team with the tools to communicate the status to the surface.
As coal and mineral mining evolves with climate regulations and market needs, equipping the working team with cutting-edge tools can accelerate the positive trends in worker safety in the mining industry. Rugged laptops and tablets are an essential component of this transformation. To meet the industry's demands, rugged devices have to be durable, lightweight, and high-performing to withstand the harsh conditions of the mining environment.
At SINSMART, we offer rugged tablet solutions that are ready to use when the application dictates. Our devices run on Windows 10 while supporting Android OS and come with dual hot-swappable batteries to extend life and assure continuous device operation. Selecting a tool that meets the job's demands is a differentiating benefit. Visit SINSMART mining solutions to learn how the industry can benefit from rugged technologies in the field.
In conclusion, the mining industry has inherent risks to workers, and safety issues include roof collapse, toxic gas exposure, asphyxiation, powered haulage, ground failure, and rockfall. However, new technologies such as worksite simulation, immersive technology, automated robotics, monitors and sensors, wearables, and rugged laptops and tablets are driving measurable improvement in miner safety. These solutions help inform the miners about the state of the job site, predict the likelihood or location of a hazard, automate tasks that are excessively hazardous for humans, monitor rock and ground movement and machinery usage, and monitor miners' vital signs and location. As the mining industry evolves with climate regulations and market needs, equipping the working team with cutting-edge tools can accelerate the positive trends in worker safety in the mining industry.
