As part of Ramjack’s ongoing commitment to advancing the digital transformation of underground mining operations, our EMENA (Europe, Middle East, North Africa) geotechnical team recently completed a strategically significant installation at a Turkish mine site, delivering immediate and measurable improvements in both safety and operational performance. Leveraging our deep expertise in geotechnical monitoring solutions, we deployed a fully integrated system combining Multi-Point Borehole Extensometers (MPBX) with a robust wireless telemetry network. This deployment not only provided the mine with real-time visibility into ground movement trends but also eliminated the need for routine manual data collection, significantly reducing time, labor, and potential exposure to hazardous areas.
The automated monitoring system ensures high-frequency data acquisition from the moment of installation, maintaining data integrity and continuity, all critical elements for effective ground control strategies in underground environments. Our approach reflects a broader principle that underpins all safe geotechnical practices: instrumentation must be precise, and telemetry must be reliable. Together, they form the backbone of a modern, responsive geotechnical monitoring strategy that enables early detection of instability, proactive risk mitigation, and confident decision-making at every stage of the mining cycle.
Location: Southeastern Turkey
Mine Type: Underground copper mine
Mine Depth: 669 meters underground
Underground Network: 42 kilometers of galleries
Ore Extraction: ~1.1 million tons of ore per year
Copper Output: ~90,000 tons of copper concentrate annually
Workforce: Over 800 personnel
Automation: Fully automated operational systems for safety and efficiency
Key Highlights from the Deployment
- Advanced MPBX Configuration
Unlike conventional MPBX setups that typically use a single spring hanger, the sensors installed during this project featured six spring hangers per unit. While this configuration offers improved anchoring across multiple horizons—leading to more reliable displacement measurements—it also introduced a layer of complexity to the installation process. Despite the initial challenges, the team successfully positioned and calibrated all nine MPBX instruments in the underground workings, ensuring robust data capture for rock mass deformation.
- Introduction of ACK4 Digital Nodes
This project also marked the deployment of a new set of digital telemetry nodes, each capable of interfacing with up to four geotechnical sensors simultaneously. These ACK4 nodes are equipped with integrated Addressable SmartLinks, allowing for efficient data acquisition and seamless integration into existing mine communication infrastructure. This modular setup significantly reduces the telemetry system footprint and simplifies underground cabling requirements, making it ideal for operations aiming to scale their instrumentation networks.
This installation exemplifies our ability to tailor advanced monitoring technologies to site-specific requirements and underscores the essential role of digital geotechnical systems in maintaining safe, efficient, and future-ready underground operations. Huge shout out to Diego Romero, our on-site technical lead!
Interested in optimizing your mine’s instrumentation network? Contact Ramjack to explore tailored solutions for your underground or surface operations.