Smart Wireless: A Guide to the World of IQRF - Episode 14 - Smart monitoring of mining dumps

Intelligent Monitoring of Old Mining Dumps: How IQRF® Enhances Safety and Environmental Protection

Old mining dumps may look like ordinary hills scattered across the landscape, but inside they can be surprisingly active – chemically, thermally, and sometimes dangerously. Hidden fires, spontaneous heating, or toxic gas emissions make these sites a significant safety and environmental risk.

In this episode, we explore a project by experts at the Technical University of Ostrava (VŠB–TUO), who use IQRF^® wireless technology to monitor these dumps safely, continuously, and with minimal maintenance. It is an example of how IoT brings visibility to places where entering the terrain is risky or nearly impossible.

What you will learn in this episode:

1. What parameters are monitored in mining dumps
   Researchers deploy sensors that measure:
   • Temperature at multiple depths – creating a 3D thermal profile to detect early signs of self-heating or fires.
   • Gas concentrations – carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and benzene, which indicate unwanted reactions inside the dump.
   • Oxygen levels – crucial for assessing how prone the environment is to combustion.
   These detailed measurements capture processes invisible to the human eye but critical for safety and environmental management.
2. Why IQRF^® is essential for this application
   Sensors placed across rough terrain communicate using the ultra-low-power IQRF^® mesh network, providing two major advantages:
   • Extremely low energy consumption – allowing sensors to operate for many years on a single battery.
   • Reliable mesh topology – data automatically finds alternative routes if a device fails or the signal is obstructed.
   IQRF^® enables long-term, uninterrupted monitoring even in remote or hazardous environments.
3. How the technology works in the field
   The system is currently tested at two Czech locations:
   • Heřmanice (Ostrava region) – full monitoring of temperature profiles and gas emissions.
   • Krimich (near Plzeň) – focus primarily on thermal profiling.
   Wireless sensors are placed in multiple depths and positions inside the dump.
   No cables, no excavation, no intrusive installation – ideal for unstable or contaminated terrain.
4. Key benefits of intelligent monitoring
   Early detection of developing risks
   The system can identify anomalies far earlier than manual inspections – including rising temperatures or gas leaks.
   Autonomous, low-maintenance operation
   Long-life batteries and mesh connectivity significantly reduce the need for technician visits.
   Enhanced safety for personnel
   Fewer site visits mean lower exposure to unstable ground, toxic gases, or heat pockets.
   Better management of legacy environmental sites
   Continuous data helps predict processes, plan interventions, and reduce ecological hazards over time.
   Why it matters
   Mining dumps are complex, often unpredictable structures. With IoT and IQRF^®, operators can:
   • see what happens below the surface,
   • predict dangers before they escalate,
   • reduce environmental impact,
   • and protect workers and surrounding communities.
   This project demonstrates how IoT can solve highly specific, real-world industrial and environmental challenges – wirelessly, efficiently, and with minimal infrastructure requirements.

More information:

• IQRF Technology – www.iqrf.org
• MICRORISC – www.microrisc.com
• IQRF Alliance – www.iqrfalliance.org

Note: IQRF^® technology is continuously evolving. The parameters and features mentioned in this episode may change over time.