Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring a geological region or a structure. The device includes: a sensor, a radio transmitter configured to transmit data obtained by the sensor, a power source configured to power the sensor and/or radio transmitter, and a housing configured to protect the power source, radio transmitter and optionally the sensor. The sensor is capable of sensing a parameter useful in determining movement within a geological region or a structure; and/or the potential for failure in a geological region or a structure. The devices may include several sensor types capable of sensing parameters such as strain, pressure, temperature, electrical conductivity, electrical resistance, or chemistry. A series of devices may be operable as a system, with at least some of the devices further functioning to relay radio signals transmitted by other devices of the system.

Abstract: A method for monitoring depth of a cave front in a cave-type mine. The method includes: providing a stationary reader device and mobile marker devices, each of the marker devices adapted to (i) emit an electromagnetic signal, (ii) detect strength of the signal emitted by another of the marker devices, and (iii) wirelessly transmit information related to the detected signal via the other marker devices to the stationary reader device; drilling a hole into a rock region of a mine, installing the mobile marker devices at sequential known depths within the hole; monitoring the reader device to detect a decrease in the strength of a signal emitted by a first marker device by a second marker device; and in response to a decrease being detected by the second marker device, inferring the depth of the cave front to be between the known depths of the first and second marker devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rock movement sensor including an inertial measurement assembly, a control assembly responsive to said inertial measurement assembly and a communication assembly coupled to the control assembly. The control assembly is arranged to determine a displacement associated with a blast or drop based on signals from the inertial measurement assembly. The communication assembly is preferably a wireless communication assembly. A surface unit corresponding to the rock movement sensor is provided which includes a processor programmed to operate a communications assembly to receive displacement data from the rock movement sensor. Consequently, the movement of an ore body due to a blast may be determined by locating a number of the rock movement sensors at known locations about the ore body prior to the blast and subsequently retrieving data values indicating a displacement relative to the known locations from the rock movement sensor post blast.

Abstract: A housing for a mine marker that houses RFID electronics. The RFID electronics is surrounded by a resiliently deformable tube that fits inside the housing, which may be an impact resistant plastic. The housing is filled with a first strengthening material and the tube may be filled with a second strengthening material. There is an impedance mismatch (a change in properties between adjacent layers so that shock waves are deflected) at the boundary between adjacent materials, (casing and first strengthening material, first strengthening material and tube, tube and second strengthening material, or casing and tube if they abut) which inhibits shock propagation.