Toward open-source hardware and software for the mining industry: a case study of low-cost environmental monitoring system for non-metallic underground mines

Mokhinabonu Mardonova, Yosoon Choi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Open-source technology for supporting the Industry 4.0 has become the target of academic research in many sectors. This study reviewed the trends of open-source technology, its forms, and some industrial applications. As a case study using open-source hardware and software for the mining industry, this study proposed a low-cost environmental monitoring system for non-metallic underground mines to support mine safety and occupational health issues. The system was developed using open-source hardware, Arduino and 3D printer, to design the monitoring device. An open-source software, MIT App Inventor, was used for developing an Android application for smartphones to enable remote communication with the system. Field experiments were conducted at an underground tunnel and a non-metallic underground mining site to assess the performance of the system in both mobile and static modes, respectively. Although a few limitations related to the precision of the low-cost dust and gas sensors still exist, the findings of the experiments show that the mining industry can benefit from open-source technology deployment when considering cost factors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)657-674
Number of pages18
JournalMining, Metallurgy and Exploration
Volume36
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Open-source hardware
  • Open-source software
  • Industry 4.0
  • Environmentalmonitoring
  • Mining

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