Seismic monitoring in underground mines: A case of mufulira mine in Zambia: Using wireless sensor networks for seismic monitoring

Sudden earth tremors (seismic events) and the accompanying ground falls constitute a major threat to underground mining operations in most underground mines in Zambia. Seismic monitoring is therefore an important exercise that ensures not only a safe working environment for workers but ensures the safety of communities living nearby the mines. This paper discusses seismic events monitoring at one of the biggest mines in Zambia called Mufulira Copper mine. A study on seismic monitoring was carried out at the mine through observations, interviews and record inspections. The study revealed the different methods used over a period of time and it also revealed some major causes of seismicity at the mine. The paper then proposes the use of Wireless Underground Sensor Networks (WUSNs) to monitor seismic events in underground mines. Wireless sensor networks uses sensors that are capable of not only sensing, but processing and transmitting data, hence reducing on the wiring that is characterized by the current-system.