Remote monitoring and automation of a large mine ventilation network

摘要

When an underground mine ventilation system becomes very large and complex, remote monitoring of key parameters becomes essential to provide first hand knowledge of what is happening in the mine without any physical presence of a ventilation engineer. The system in use at Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc., Underground Division monitors all aspects of the mine ventilation system. Main fans, booster fans and auxiliary fans can be monitored and controlled remotely to change the airflow in the mine. The mine is a relatively large complex spread over more than 1850 m in length. The rock generates oxygen depleting gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide and, therefore, to maintain a healthy underground atmosphere, an extensive monitoring system was required. Air flow, air temperature and gas concentrations are measured with fixed instruments and displayed on computer screens, and trended for historical data. Alarms are activated automatically for any abnormal situation.