Abstract
The integration of computer-based technologies interacting with industrial machines or home appliances through an interconnected network, for teleoperation, workflow control, switching to autonomous mode, or collecting data automatically using a variety of sensors, is known as Internet of Things (IoT). When applied inside an industrial context, it is possible to immediately benefit from the analytics obtained, contributing to process optimization, machine health, the safety of workers and asset management. IoT can assist real-time platforms in remotely monitoring and operating a complex production system with minimal intervention of humans. Hence it can be beneficial for hazardous industries, such as mining, by increasing the safety of personnel and equipment while reducing operation costs. An ideal smart automated mine could potentially be achievable by gradually taking advantage of IoT. Currently, different sensors are used in mine-related activities, such as geophones in exploration and blast control, piezometers in dewatering and toxic gas detectors in working frontlines. However, a fully integrated automated system is challenging in practice due to infrastructural limitations in communication, data management and storage. Moreover, the tendency of mining companies to continue with traditional methods instead of relying on untested novel techniques decelerates this progress. In this study, the adaptability of the mining industry to IoT systems and its current development is reviewed. Significant challenges of this progress are investigated and recommendations to develop a comprehensive model suited for different mining sections such as exploration, operation and safety considering flexible technologies such as Wireless Sensor Networks and the introduction of Global Data Management.
Highlights
Mining is the most fundamental industry in the supply chain of resources for manufacturing, technology development and construction
To better understand the story, this paper presents four main categories to implement a system based on Internet of Things (IoT) as follows; Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), Data Management, Automation and Applications in the Mining Industry (Fig. 3)
This research showed that 70% of the respondents in 100 large mining companies believe that IoT would provide them a major advantage compared with competitors
Summary
Mining is the most fundamental industry in the supply chain of resources for manufacturing, technology development and construction. An example of a safe mine in the underground is active RFID-based wireless for occupational safety and traceability of the mining areas, which is an integrated solution that comprises of tag sensors and readers for tracking people, collecting environmental data, vehicle tracking and real-time alerts (Atkins et al, 2010; Liu et al, 2013; Thomas and Rad, 2018). An IoT platform allows consistent in-real-time data visualization to help quickly address problems while tracking the scale of changes in the closed-loop performance metrics (Fig. 3) This enables IoT solutions to minimize production loss and increases efficiency to understand better the broader impacts on the mining industry of IoT and Big Data. This stored data is processed by required algorithms and the output is reported in graph or table formats to managers, engineers and field operators
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