TAIL-Monitor: Underground Methane Monitoring at Grosvenor Mine

The Challenge

Anglo American’s Grosvenor Mine required reliable real-time monitoring of methane levels in underground tailgate areas to meet safety and regulatory requirements. The operation needed an integrated system capable of detecting hazardous gas concentrations and triggering appropriate control responses in a demanding underground environment.

Our Approach

Deftec designed and implemented a tailgate CH₄ monitoring system leveraging the iMAC2 Integrated Monitoring and Control platform. The solution integrated analogue input modules to capture methane sensor data, with the iMAC2 Controller processing readings and communicating across multiple protocols (Modbus TCP/IP and EtherNet/IP) to ensure compatibility with existing site infrastructure. The system was configured with programmable setpoints and exception scanning to enable rapid response to alarm conditions, supported by a web-based interface for remote monitoring and diagnostics.

The Outcome

The completed system provided Grosvenor Mine with continuous, networked visibility of underground gas levels, enabling proactive hazard management and compliance with mining safety standards. Deftec’s design approach ensured the solution integrated seamlessly into the mine’s broader automation architecture while delivering the reliability critical to underground operations.

Technologies & Capabilities

• iMAC2 Integrated Monitoring and Control System
• Analogue Input Modules (AIM) for sensor integration
• Modbus TCP/IP and EtherNet/IP communications protocols
• Web-based monitoring interface
• Programmable setpoints and exception scanning
• Field-hardened system design for underground mining environments