GeoMoby reports that its real-time, location-based communication system is enhancing worker safety and operational efficiency at FMR Investments Pty Ltd’s Gordon Sirdar underground gold mine near Coolgardie, Western Australia.
Recognized as one of the most reliable underground mining communication technologies globally, GeoMoby utilizes Bluetooth Long Range. Additionally, the installation costs for GeoMoby’s system are expected to be significantly lower than those for traditional communication equipment.
The Gordon Sirdar mine was the venue for the 2023 Underground Emergency Rescue Competition (UMERC), organized by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy. For the event held last November, GeoMoby deployed its underground solution, which included 35 nodes—referred to as “green lunchboxes”—across seven levels of the mine, accomplished in just 10 hours.
During the competition, the 14 participating teams were equipped with GeoMoby smartwatches and tags linked to a Dräger gas detection device. This marked the first time GeoMoby was officially invited to participate in UMERC. The platform seamlessly integrated with key IoT sensors, including an environmental monitoring system, portable gas sensors, and an extensometer.
“The trial was extremely successful, allowing team members and judges to view underground participants in real-time on screens in the control room,” said Chris Baudia, CEO and Founder of GeoMoby. “People described it as a ‘game changer.’ Our technology continuously monitors the locations and heartbeats of individual miners. During UMERC, we could watch participants live and monitor the captains’ heart rates. Following the event’s success, we left the infrastructure in place at Gordon Sirdar.”
Mathieu Paul, Director of GeoMoby, stated, “Our technology has now been successfully operated in an underground gold mine for over 10 months. This is a significant milestone for our company, and we anticipate many more installations in the Goldfields. We have also completed a feasibility study with FMR to enhance operational efficiencies in truck cycles, track both light and heavy mine vehicles, and monitor personnel.”
Furthermore, GeoMoby is collecting real-time data on rock grades, waste, and tonnage. This information is automatically gathered, eliminating the need for manual data entry and increasing accuracy.
John Farr, Manager of the Gordon Sirdar mine, commented, “We have never had such visibility in our underground operations. This is a substantial improvement in safety and efficiency. GeoMoby has delivered on its promises. The technology has significantly enhanced our operational efficiency and the safety of our team. For the first time, we can instantly locate workers in case of an emergency. We highly recommend that all underground operations consider GeoMoby technology, as our experience has been extremely positive.”
