At the old Krimich II mine dump near Plzeň, a smart modular system designed for measuring high temperatures in the deeper layers of the dump has now been deployed. The site has long been problematic due to recurring internal thermal processes that can lead to property damage and environmental harm. Reliable and continuous measurement is therefore essential. The installation itself was carried out in cooperation with the companies ELRON and ZUD.

The system was developed within the OPTAK project, which aims to create monitoring technology for challenging environments affected by mining activities. The development was carried out by Assoc. Prof. Radovan Hájovský, Ph.D., Ing. Jan Velička, Ph.D., and Ing. Martin Pieš, Ph.D., who designed a solution tailored to the specific conditions of old mine dumps.

A key element of the system is IoT technology—the “Internet of Things,” meaning smart devices interconnected via the internet that can automatically collect and transmit data. Thanks to this, sensors placed inside the dump can continuously send temperature information to an online system.

„The advantage of the solution is the ability to choose the most suitable type of wireless data transmission depending on the conditions of the given location. The system can operate using IQRF, LoRa, or NB-IoT technologies, ensuring reliable data transfer even from areas with weaker signal coverage,” said Radovan Hájovský.

The device measures temperature at four depth levels and immediately sends the data for processing. This allows for ongoing monitoring of the temperature inside the dump and quick action in case of a rise, significantly reducing the risk of damage.