A novel radar-based system for underground mine wall stability monitoring

Abstract

Ground collapse is a serious issue for underground mining, and currently there is a lack of remote sensing monitoring systems to perform real-time deformation monitoring. Extensometers can be used in several situations; however, this instrumentation obliges the user to work close to unstable areas, thus a remote monitoring system would offer noticeably improved safety conditions. IDS GeoRadar, a provider of radar technology for slope monitoring in surface mining, recently developed an interferometric radar system for underground operations to monitor ground fall precursors and provide early warning in order to evacuate people and machinery at risk. This radar system is able to monitor slow deformations to produce preliminary risk assessment on potentially exposed instabilities in underground areas. The new radar system is able to provide sub-millimetre displacement accuracy at a spatial resolution of tens of centimetres, with updated displacement information every 30 seconds. In this paper, the system is described, along with performance test results and assessment of monitoring performances in real scenarios.

Combining Ground Based Remote Sensing Tools for Rockfalls Assessment and Monitoring: The Poggio Baldi Landslide Natural Laboratory

“…In the framework of the present study, a compact ArcSAR called HYDRA-G designed and manufactured by IDS GeoRadar (part of Hexagon) was used ( Figure 3 ). Such an instrument is able to provide displacement measures with a sub-millimetre accuracy, by combining a very high phase measurement accuracy (<0.1 radians) and a short wavelength (4 mm) [ 55 ]. Its maximum range is about 800 m with a field of view up to 120° (horizontal) and 30° (vertical) and its operating temperature is −20 °C to +55 °C.…”

“…However, such technologies suffer some limitations for real time monitoring implementation (e.g., automated data processing, measurement repeatability, reliability, etc.). Therefore, their implementation in early warning systems has not been fully achieved [ 54 , 55 ].…”