ZigBee based Real Time System for Environmental Parameters Monitoring in Model Mine: An Experimental Study

Abstract

The global mining industry, known for extracting valuable minerals like coal, iron ore, gold, silver, copper and zinc, primarily operates through underground mining. These underground mine environments are influenced by various environmental factors including toxic and flammable gases, increased carbon dioxide (CO<inf>2</inf>) levels and decreased oxygen (O<inf>2</inf>) concentrations. These factors significantly impact the productivity and safety of mine workers, making monitoring harmful gases crucial. Various methods exist to measure gas concentrations and respond appropriately when these levels exceed safe thresholds. However, each method has its own set of limitations. In underground mines, wireless monitoring systems are essential to monitor environmental parameters in real time. This study focuses on the assessment of ZigBee-based wireless techniques for their application in underground mines. The developed ZigBee wireless communication system was tested and validated at the surface level and in a model mine laboratory at the Mining Engineering Department of the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, India. This laboratory replicates an underground mine setting. The ZigBee-based system is designed to wirelessly monitor environmental parameters. Experiment results suggest that the ZigBee network is suitable for real-time monitoring of environmental conditions in underground mines. Further details regarding the functioning, effectiveness and potential applications of the ZigBee-based system in underground mining are discussed in the study. © 2025, World Researchers Associations. All rights reserved.