Implementation of robotics in improving safety and efficiency in mining operations

Abstract

Mining operations present hazardous conditions, particularly in post-blast environments where the accumulation of toxic gases poses significant risks to worker safety. This study presents a robotic system designed to autonomously navigate underground mining terrains and detect harmful gases such as methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The robot is built with a rocker-bogie mechanism for stability on uneven surfaces and uses IR sensors for obstacle detection. Gas detection is carried out using a sensor-integrated circuit. A GSM module is used to transmit the gas concentration data to surface-level receivers. Simulation results confirmed the robot's capability to navigate autonomously and detect gas presence with reliable accuracy.