Gastech

Post-blast environments in underground mines are among the most hazardous workplaces in the industry. Toxic gases, oxygen depletion, and combustible atmospheres can persist long after explosives are fired, putting both workers and infrastructure at risk. In the past, mine personnel were required to physically enter these areas to conduct gas surveys and confirm whether re-entry was safe.

This article draws on research and insights from Gastech NSW Regional Sales Manager Andrew Gibson. His expertise highlights how robotic droids, equipped with advanced gas detection technology, are transforming post-blast monitoring. By combining practical field experience with innovative solutions, he demonstrate how mines can protect lives, reduce downtime, and make faster, data-driven decisions in some of the harshest working conditions.

The Risks of Post-Blast Environments

Every blast in a hard rock mine releases a mix of gases. The composition can vary depending on blasting methods, ventilation conditions, and the geological setting, but the risks remain the same: suffocation, poisoning, fire, and explosion.

Carbon monoxide is one of the most common and dangerous gases produced in blasting. It is colourless, odourless, and highly toxic, reducing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and leading to rapid impairment. Nitrogen dioxide is another common byproduct, irritating the respiratory system and capable of causing severe health effects even at low concentrations.

The combination of these conditions creates an unpredictable and dangerous environment. Without thorough monitoring, workers may unknowingly enter an area that remains unsafe long after the initial blast. Fires, structural damage, and long-term health issues all become more likely if gases are not identified and controlled.

Why Robotics are Transforming Mine Safety

Robotic droids provide a safer alternative by allowing mines to monitor hazardous areas without sending people underground immediately. These machines are able to enter blind stopes, ore passes, and confined voids where gases are likely to accumulate. They can be remotely controlled or programmed to follow predetermined routes, delivering data back to the surface in real time.

Key advantages of robotic gas detection include:

• Removing personnel from hazardous post-blast zones
• Faster, data-driven re-entry decisions
• Consistent and accurate gas sampling in difficult-to-reach areas
• Integration with visual, thermal, and acoustic sensors for richer data

Gas Detection Technology for Droids

The effectiveness of robotic gas detection depends heavily on the quality of the sensors. For post-blast operations, the most important gases to measure include oxygen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, and ammonia. These parameters give a reliable indication of both immediate hazards and longer-term risks to ventilation systems and infrastructure. The data can be transmitted in real time through WiFi, Bluetooth, or analogue signals such as 4–20mA, ensuring that surface control rooms receive instant feedback.

There are challenges in fitting detectors onto robotic platforms. Payload capacity and mounting space are often limited, so compact and lightweight instruments are essential. Sensors need to be positioned where they can capture representative samples rather than being blocked by bodywork or shielded by the droid’s structure.

The equipment must also withstand dust, moisture, and chemical interference common in underground mines. Certification is another critical factor. Any detector used underground must meet stringent requirements such as IECEx Ex-d for hazardous areas, with ingress protection ratings of IP66 or higher. Despite these challenges, droid-mounted detection is proving to be one of the most reliable ways to secure post-blast environments.

Gastech Solutions for Robotic Gas Detection

At Gastech, we offer modular gas detection systems that integrate seamlessly with robotic platforms in underground mining. The G-Pod is a compact, rugged, and certified sensor module that can be configured with a range of toxic and combustible gas sensors, including oxygen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, and ammonia. Its small footprint and pre-calibrated design make it ideal for mounting on droids where payload space is limited, yet reliability is essential.

G-Pods have already proven themselves in demanding mobile applications, such as the G-Shield Fire system, where they continuously monitor gases in vehicle-mounted deployments. The same strengths - durability, certification, and real-time communication - make them perfectly suited to robotic gas detection in post-blast environments. By combining G-Pods with wireless communication options and accessories such as cameras or lighting, mines can build a versatile robotic monitoring solution that improves both safety and productivity.

Wider Applications Beyond Mining

Although post-blast monitoring in hard rock mines is a primary focus, robotic gas detection has clear value across a range of industries and scenarios. Sewerage treatment plants can use droids to check for hazardous atmospheres without exposing staff to confined spaces. Underground pipelines can be surveyed remotely to ensure integrity and safety. Tunnelling projects benefit from continuous monitoring in areas where ventilation is still being established. Even police forensics teams have found applications for robotic detectors in hazardous environments.

A standout example comes from our own work with Rio Tinto Iron Ore and their R.O.R.I (Remotely Operated Rescue Initiative) robot. RORI was developed as a firefighting robot capable of entering extreme environments where people cannot. It is fitted with a hose branch, thermal imaging, lighting, and our Gastech G-Shield, which houses G-Pods configured for the “Toxic Twins” - carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. The project was pioneered by Matt Campbell from Rio Tinto, with Gastech working alongside Australian engineering firm B.I.A5 from the beginning to integrate our technology into the system. Captured on video by our own Product Specialist Jim Filov, RORI demonstrates how Gastech solutions are already proven in the field, keeping people safe in some of the toughest conditions mining has to offer.

Common Questions

What gases are most dangerous after a mine blast?

Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, ammonia, and low oxygen levels are the most common hazards.

How do robotic droids improve mine safety?

They remove the need for workers to immediately enter hazardous areas and provide accurate real-time data from otherwise inaccessible locations.

What communication options are available underground?

Systems can transmit data via WiFi, Bluetooth, or 4–20mA signals depending on site infrastructure and operational preferences.

Conclusion

Post-blast gas detection is too critical to rely on outdated approaches. Robotic droids equipped with Gastech’s modular G-Pods give mining operators the ability to assess conditions quickly, accurately, and without exposing workers to risk. Proven in the field through systems like the G-Shield Fire, G-Pods bring the same level of reliability and rugged performance to underground robotics.

By adopting robotic gas detection solutions, mines can reduce downtime, safeguard their people, and gain better insights into underground conditions. With Gastech’s expertise and technology, you can take a confident step into the future of safe, efficient mining.

Speak to a Gastech Technical Consultant today about integrating G-Pods and modular gas detection solutions into your robotic platforms. Contact Gastech today.