The acoustic emission/microseismic (AE/MS) monitoring technique continue to play a major role in providing a safe environment for mine operations. Be it a surface or underground mine operation, the life and safety of miners is constantly under threat due to uncertainties associated with rock mass stability as mining proceeds. Therefore, performing routine AE/MS monitoring in mines leads to the establishment of areas in the mine that are susceptible to seismicity. In this paper, a review of the utilization and importance of the AE/MS monitoring technique as a modern day tool for the improvement of mine safety is provided. The review highlights a brief history, characteristics and objectives of the technique, requirements for an efficient system, and the benefits of the AE/MS technique. Also one case study showing successful utilization of the technique is provided. It can be concluded that the discovery of the technology has gone a long way to improve safety monitoring especially in underground mines. Again, the reviewed literature showed that major areas of application include but not limited to: the management of ground control problems; mine rescue operations; rockburst studies; verification of mine design and ground control measures as well as risk management.
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