Hexagon’s Mining division has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to underground safety and innovation, signing an agreement with Montana Technological University. The partnership grants Hexagon access to the university’s Underground Mine Education Center (UMEC), a full-scale underground mine environment that will serve as a real-world testbed for Hexagon’s next-generation underground solutions.
The collaboration comes at a critical time for the mining industry. As deposits become scarcer, mines are expanding deeper, presenting operators with tightening spaces, reduced visibility, and escalating safety challenges. Hexagon’s underground portfolio already includes market-leading solutions addressing fatigue, situational awareness, and underground development optimisation. However, the new agreement with UMEC will elevate Hexagon’s ability to prototype, validate, and refine these technologies in conditions that closely mirror modern, high-risk underground environments.
“As the industry pushes deeper beneath the surface, the risks to people and equipment only increase,” said Dave Goddard, President of Hexagon’s Mining division. “Our agreement with Montana Technological University provides the perfect proving ground to accelerate life-saving innovation. By combining UMEC’s world-class facilities with Hexagon’s expertise in safety, automation, and sensor fusion, we can bring underground solutions to market faster, and with greater confidence in their ability to protect miners and sustain productivity.”
UMEC’s facilities, training drifts, and specialised mining equipment will enable Hexagon to conduct comprehensive testing of sensors, algorithms, and operator-machine interactions. The site will be used for simulation, validation, product training, and customer demonstrations, helping bridge the gap between laboratory testing and operational deployment.
The partnership aligns with Hexagon’s long-standing commitment to improving underground safety. Recent advancements include fatigue-monitoring technology, integrated underground safety platforms, and real-time alertness solutions. Hexagon’s work at UMEC will support the development of its underground collision avoidance system, ensuring that underground workers and machines operate safely, regardless of depth, fleet size, or geological complexity.
This collaboration could shape the future of underground mining in several ways. Firstly, it could accelerate the development and deployment of safety technologies, making underground mines safer and more productive. Secondly, it could enhance the skills of the future workforce, as students and industry professionals train and collaborate in a cutting-edge underground environment. Lastly, it could foster innovation in underground mining, as Hexagon and UMEC work together to address the industry’s most pressing challenges.
As the mining industry continues to push deeper, the need for advanced underground solutions will only grow. Hexagon’s partnership with UMEC positions the company at the forefront of this evolution, driving innovation and setting new standards for underground safety. The mining sector will be watching closely as this collaboration unfolds, eager to see the breakthroughs that emerge from this unique partnership.