Smart Safety Sensor for Underground Mining

Funding: FIC-Regional — Gobierno Regional Región Metropolitana (2020–2024), code IDI 40017833-0
Role: Co-director, Solution Architect & Developer
Mining district: Chancón, District 55

Context

Small-scale underground mining in Chile operates under strict safety requirements for ground support systems. Split-set anchor bolts are friction-based rock reinforcement elements installed in tunnel walls and ceilings to prevent collapse — a critical safety measure whose correct installation must be verified regularly.

The current verification method relies on pneumatic systems that are slow, require specialized equipment, and are difficult to operate in confined underground spaces. A typical inspection campaign can take hours and introduce measurement errors from difficult access and operator positioning. For small-scale mining operations with limited technical staff, this represents both a safety risk and a significant operational bottleneck.

Solution

This project developed a portable, wireless measurement instrument for evaluating split-set anchor bolt installation quality — specifically the opening width of the bolt, which is the key indicator of correct friction contact with the rock wall.

The instrument replaces the pneumatic measurement approach with a direct mechanical sensing system integrated into a compact wireless device. Key characteristics:

• Portable: handheld form factor, designed for confined underground environments
• Wireless: no cables or external power connections required in the tunnel
• Fast: complete inspection of a bolt in under 2 minutes, enabling rapid systematic campaigns across an entire anchor grid
• Accessible: reduces the technical skill threshold for inspection, making regular monitoring feasible for small-scale operations

By dramatically reducing inspection time and removing the need for pneumatic equipment, the system enables mining operations to move from sporadic to systematic anchor monitoring — directly improving worker safety and enabling data-driven maintenance decisions.

Technology Transfer

This project was developed within the UAI Faculty of Engineering and Sciences (FIC) Smart + Sustainable innovation framework, which supports the transfer of research results to industry through structured intellectual property protection pathways. The developed sensor technology — as a novel measurement instrument with clear industrial application — is eligible for industrial property protection via INAPI, and the project team engaged with the FIC Innovation Unit and the UAI Technology Transfer Office (OTT) to define an appropriate protection and commercialization strategy for deployment across Mining District 55 and potentially other small-scale mining districts in Chile.