GEO provides automated systems for monitoring potential geotechnical hazards at open pit mines and tailings dams.
Open-Pit Mines
A wide range of instrumentation is available to monitor surface displacements, sub-surface displacements, and hydrological conditions at open-pit mines.
Surface Displacements
InSAR is a radar technology that can detect and monitor ground movement over broad areas. Specialized software calculates high resolution displacement data from satellite-acquired radar images. Updates are available weekly. Data and deformation maps provided by InSAR services are updated weekly and can be imported into most data visualization platforms.
AMTS Systems provide high-precision, 3D measurements of prisms that are installed at critical locations. Measurements from successive observation cycles are compared to reveal displacements. AMTS measurements require line of sight and can be affected by weather, heat, and dust. AMTS systems can be powered by battery and solar panel and transmit their measurements off site via cellular networks. Measurements are easily presented in data visualization platforms.
GNSS Sensors provide 3D measurements of their installed locations with sub-centimeter precision. Successive measurements are compared to reveal displacements. GNSS measurements are not affected by fog, dust, snow, or rain. The most recent GNSS sensors are self-powered, self-reporting, and easy to install in open areas. Measurements are easily presented in data visualization platforms.
Tiltmeters can detect rotational surface movements when installed on stakes driven into the ground. Self-powered, wireless tiltmeters obtain tilt measurements at regular intervals. Measurements are mainly used for warnings but can be presented along with measurements from other sensors.
Wire-Extensometers monitor displacements across faults and joints. They can be connected to self-powered, wireless loggers and data is easily presented with measurement from other sensors.
Subsurface Deformation
Shape Arrays are inclinometer-like instruments installed in vertical boreholes at critical locations. They provide profiles of lateral displacement. Self-powered wireless loggers at the top of each installation obtain measurements at regular intervals and transmit them to a gateway receiver. Shape array data is easily presented along with measurements from other sensors.
Water Management
Piezometers are installed in boreholes at selected locations and depths to monitor pore-water pressures. Piezometer measurements inform slope stability assessments and can assist dewatering operations. Self-powered wireless loggers at the top of each borehole obtain measurements at regular intervals and transmit them to a gateway receiver. Piezometers measurements are easily presented with those of other instruments.
Weather Stations monitor rainfall, which directly affects pore-water pressure and slope stability. Weather stations can also monitor other factors that affect mine safety, such as lightning strikes and wind. Weather station data are easily presented with those of other instruments.
Tailings Dams
A similar range of instrumentation can be deployed at tailings dams to monitor deformation and hydrological conditions.
Surface Displacements
InSAR is a radar technology that can detect and monitor ground movement over designated areas. Specialized software calculates high resolution displacement data from satellite-acquired radar images. Updates are available weekly. Data and deformation maps provided by InSAR services are updated weekly and can be imported into most data visualization platforms.
GNSS Sensors are used for monitoring critical points along the dam. The sensors use satellite signals to determine their 3D spatial locations. Successive measurements are compared to reveal vertical and lateral displacements. Self-powered, self-reporting GNSS sensors are easy to install and their measurements are easily presented with those from other sensors.
Subsurface Deformation
Shape Arrays are inclinometer-like instruments installed in vertical boreholes at critical locations in the embankment. They provide profiles of lateral deformation. Self-powered wireless loggers at the top of each installation obtain measurements at regular intervals and transmit them to a gateway receiver. Displacement values can be presented in displacement profile plots and also as numeric data that are easily presented with measurements from other sensors.
Condition Monitoring
Electrical Resistivity Tomography systems monitor conditions such as saturation, seepage, and erosion within the tailings dam. Some ERT systems can be permanently installed. They provide automated surveys of areas up to 800 feet wide and 120 feet deep. Surveys are transmitted offsite for processing and analysis. Data presentation is currently limited to dedicated, standalone software.
Water Management
Piezometers are installed in boreholes to monitor pore-water pressures or in observation wells to monitor the phreatic surface. These measurements inform stability assessments and can assist water management. Self-powered wireless loggers at the top of each borehole or well obtain measurements at regular intervals and transmit them to a gateway receiver. Piezometers measurements are easily presented with those of other instruments.
Weather Stations monitor rainfall, which can directly affect the phreatic surface of the pond, pore-water pressure, and embankment stability. Measurements are easily presented with those of other sensors.
Data Presentation & Visualization
Automated monitoring systems run continously, providing frequent measurements and assisting early identification of unwanted trends.
Automated measurements are transmitted to GeoCloud servers that accept and integrate data from almost any sensing system, eliminating data silos.
GeoCloud project websites check for alarms, update project databases, and generate graphical views, plots, and reports.