Old mining dumps may look like harmless hills scattered across the landscape. In reality, they are living, often highly active structures where hidden chemical and thermal processes occur. These can lead to spontaneous heating, toxic gas emissions, and long-term environmental hazards.
A team of experts from the Technical University of Ostrava (VŠB–TUO) therefore turned to IQRF® wireless technology to create a fully autonomous, highly reliable monitoring system. It enables long-term, precise measurements – without cables, without excavation, and without entering dangerous terrain.
How Intelligent Monitoring Works
Researchers equip the dumps with wireless sensors that continuously measure key safety indicators.
1. 3D thermal profiling
Sensors monitor temperature at the surface and at various depths, creating a spatial thermal model that exposes early signs of self-heating or internal fire.
2. Gas concentration monitoring
The system tracks critical gases, including: carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, benzene.
These substances signal unwanted reactions inside the dump.
3. Oxygen levels
Oxygen concentration reveals how prone the internal environment is to combustion.
Why IQRF® Is Essential
Mining dumps are extreme environments: unstable surfaces, dust, humidity, fluctuating temperatures, and limited accessibility. IQRF® brings two crucial advantages:
- Ultra-low-power mesh networking
- Sensors can operate for years on a single battery, reducing service needs to an absolute minimum.
- Exceptional communication reliability
- Mesh topology ensures that data will always reach its destination, finding alternative paths even if a device fails or the signal is obstructed.
Where the System Is Being Deployed
The technology is currently tested in real-world locations:
Heřmanice dump (Ostrava region)
Comprehensive monitoring of temperature and gas emissions.
Krimich dump (near Plzeň)
Focused on detailed thermal profiling.
Wireless sensors are positioned at multiple depths and locations — no cabling, no excavation, no intrusive interventions.
Key Benefits
Early detection of developing risks
The system identifies anomalies long before they become visible on the surface.
Autonomous, low-maintenance operation
Long-life batteries and mesh communication significantly reduce technician visits.
Higher personnel safety
Technicians do not need to enter unstable or contaminated terrain.
Better long-term environmental management
Continuous data enables prediction, planning, and mitigation of ecological hazards.
Why It Matters
Old mining dumps are unpredictable structures that can ignite, overheat, or emit toxic substances. Thanks to IoT and IQRF®, operators can:
detect threats earlier,
monitor processes more accurately,
secure hazardous sites remotely,
reduce environmental impact,
protect nearby communities and workers.
This project demonstrates how Czech wireless technology addresses real-world industrial and environmental challenges — efficiently, safely, and without infrastructure demands.
More Information
• IQRF Technology – www.iqrf.org
• IQRF Alliance – www.iqrfalliance.org
Note: IQRF® technology is continuously evolving. Parameters and features may change over time.