After raising $3M recently, Perth-based tech company GeoMoby has completed successful onsite trials at several mining locations with its geolocational communication node system.
As Western Australia’s largest sector (worth 47% of gross state product), it is vital the resources sector stays up to date, said GeoMoby founder Chris Baudia.
“Many underground mines in Western Australia and the world still use employee monitoring systems that revolve around whiteboards and bits of cardboard,” Chris said.
Mistakes concerning equipment and people can easily be made, especially at the change of shift crews or during an emergency. There are no excuses in 2023 – our technology can monitor workers at all times, making sure everyone returns home safely, every single day.
Chris Baudia, GeoMoby
“It is a valuable, modern tool in the kitbag of any mine manager ensuring the health and safety of large teams, working underground,” he said.
How does it work?
A graduate from the Perth’s first Founder Institute cohort, as well as Plus Eight, GeoMoby’s devices, known as ‘nodes’, enable constant communication underground as well as a 360-degree video viewing platform and location tagging to identify assets and personnel in the case of an emergency.
Using location intelligence, geolocation, contextual data, geofencing, behavioural analytics and wireless, cablefree networks, GeoMoby provides a hyper-accurate Live Tracking Platform (LTP) and a Real-Time Location System (RTLS) for underground and surface operations and operators.
The feature-rich tech also enables users to trigger alerts and actions based on dwell-time, body temperature, weather, real-time traffic, user profile, and more.
The bright green, lunch box sized nodes (see pic above) can be fitted onto current infrastructure by specialised technicians within hours.
Life is not all that’s at stake
As well as the obvious moral incentives to consider, Western Australia’s new Work, Health and Safety legislation means stricter measures and hefty fines add financial motivation.
The new WHS Act introduces the offence of ‘industrial manslaughter’, an act carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and $5m fine for an individual, and a maximum fine of $10m for a corporation or employer.
Chris, who is originally from France, developed the technology after hearing about the disastrous collapse of an underground mine where rescue was inhibited by a lack of accurate knowledge regarding where people were located.
It is imperative that every team member returns safely to their families at the end of their shift, but what you can’t measure, you can’t manage.
Chris Baudia.
“In addition, our research indicates that right now millions of dollars are being unnecessarily lost underground.
“Lack of accurate asset tracking leads to vehicles and equipment being lost in tunnels, underutilized, used improperly or unable to be located at all.
“Our technology can be connected to valuable equipment to keep it safe as well as people.”
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For more information, visit the GeoMoby website including a video demonstration of the node technology.
