The mining sector is abuzz with the news that Australian technology company GeoMoby has successfully integrated its real-time location and communication system (RTLCS) with Ventsim 3D underground mining ventilation design software, specifically Ventsim CONTROL. This integration is a game-changer, promising to revolutionise how underground mines operate, particularly in terms of cost efficiency and safety.
Ventsim, a US-based software, is globally recognised as a leader in ventilation on demand (VOD) systems. Its software communicates with hardware devices, enabling remote monitoring, control, automation, and optimisation of airflow, heating, and cooling. By integrating GeoMoby’s RTLCS, mines can now achieve unprecedented levels of operational efficiency. Chris Baudia, CEO and founder of GeoMoby, underscores the financial implications of this integration. “It costs underground mine operators many millions of dollars each year to adequately power and operate ventilation systems and, together, our highly accurate technology is able to cut those costs substantially.” This is not just about cost-cutting; it’s about redefining operational strategies.
The integration allows for precise monitoring of worker locations and activities in real-time. This means ventilation can be dynamically adjusted to focus on areas where workers are present, significantly reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Mathieu Paul, Director at GeoMoby, elaborates, “The costs of providing your mine workforce with adequate ventilation can be drastically reduced if you only ventilate the areas of mines in which people are working and moving. GeoMoby allows you to see your teams and work activity in real time, therefore you can automatically turn off, or reduce, ventilation in areas of the mine which are not active.”
This technological leap is poised to reshape the mining landscape. For mines already using Ventsim, the integration with GeoMoby’s technology promises substantial cost savings. The potential impact is vast, given Ventsim’s client list includes industry giants like BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, Anglo American, and Glencore. The synergy between GeoMoby’s real-time tracking and Ventsim’s ventilation management could lead to a new era of efficiency and safety in underground mining.
GeoMoby’s ambitions don’t stop at cost reduction. The company is eyeing a significant expansion in 2025, with plans to establish a larger footprint in Australia and conduct further installations and trials globally. The focus is on large underground mines in regions like South Africa, South America, New Zealand, Canada, Indonesia, and the US. Baudia’s vision is clear: “Our technology – using Bluetooth and a proprietary mesh network – continues to make mining safer globally, so every worker can return home safe, each day.”
The integration of GeoMoby’s RTLCS with Ventsim CONTROL is more than just a technological advancement; it’s a paradigm shift. It challenges the status quo by offering a more efficient, cost-effective, and safer way to manage underground mining operations. As the mining industry grapples with rising costs and safety concerns, this development could be the catalyst for widespread adoption of similar technologies. The future of underground mining is here, and it’s all about precision, efficiency, and safety.