Critical research and development set to enhance mine safety and productivity

The International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII), Nutrien, BHP and Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Digital Integration Centre of Excellence (DICE) Technical Access Centre recognize that mine safety is top of mind for many Saskatchewan companies. While GPS derived coordinates for surface assets is now commonly used by mining companies to improve safety and advance automation, tracking the positions of equipment in underground mines has remained elusive. A new underground wireless positioning system being developed by DICE to enhance mine safety is hoping to solve that problem.

Thanks to support from IMII and minerals member companies BHP and Nutrien, Dr. Terry Peckham, the DICE director and research chair at Sask Polytech, is near completion on a prototype that uses a system similar to GPS technology to identify the positions of people and equipment in an underground mine, within 30 cm of their actual location. This technology will enable companies to operate more efficiently by improving mine safety, process optimization and automation.

“Applied research projects continue to put Saskatchewan and Sask Polytech at the forefront of innovation in mine safety and optimization,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “Excellent progress has been made since this DICE project was launched two years ago. This technology will be a game-changer for safety in the mining industry.” 

 “Harnessing technology is central to making mining safer and more efficient, and this project is a building block to safely deploying digitally enabled equipment, says Al Shpyth, IMII’s executive director. “This project is an example of how we can align our digital innovation strategy with the needs of our members’ operations, engage and train tomorrow’s digital workforce, and strengthen the partnership we have with DICE – a win-win-win.”

“Despite the logistical challenges that COVID-19 has created for this project, the mining partners and Sask Polytech researchers have been able to continue their efforts to deliver a working prototype that meets our mining partner’s initial requirements,” says Dr. Peckham. “Our next steps are to work with our industry partners to continue to refine the technology and adapt it to various use cases.”

This applied research project is supported through IMII’s Developing Innovations program and NSERC’s Applied Research and Development (ARD) grants. The ARD program aims to increase innovation and capacity by supporting Canadian polytechnics and colleges in order to work with private sector companies. This includes applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, technology transfer, adaptation and adoption of new technologies.

IMII, BHP and Nutrien have invested $314,000 in cash and in-kind resources to develop the technology. Through the ARD program, NSERC has contributed $324,000 to the project. The value of the final project is almost $638,000.

With its focus on data-driven applied research, DICE works collaboratively with various industry partners, including mining companies, to help solve their data challenges — particularly those related to data integrity, data transmission, and data analysis and storage. By partnering with DICE, organizations have access to exceptional computational facilities, faculty expertise, and talented student researchers, along with research and development funding and a vast network of connections. The DICE team of specialists and technologists are all experienced in providing digital solutions focused on data across a spectrum of industries.

This article was republished with permission from Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

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