THE CHALLENGE
A major challenge in underground excavation monitoring lies in the lack of a scalable, real-time solution that can reliably map evolving rock stress across large, complex mine environments. Existing tools like point-based sensors and numerical simulations offer limited, localized insights and often miss early warning signs of major seismic hazards such as rockbursts or collapses. While seismic tomography has the potential to image stress-related changes by detecting velocity shifts in the rock, its current implementation is costly, technically demanding, and impractical for routine use due to the need for heavy computational loads and expert analysis. Furthermore, poor ray-path coverage and manual data processing limit the accuracy and timeliness of existing systems. This creates a significant gap in the market for a user-friendly, and cost-effective volumetric imaging solution that can offer mine operators continuous, actionable insights to improve safety, reduce downtime, and optimize operations.
OUR SOLUTION
We offer a turnkey seismic tomography platform that combines automated data processing and intuitive visualization to deliver daily, high-resolution maps of underground stress changes. Using existing microseismic data and a powerful reconstruction algorithm (SIRT), the system continuously analyzes thousands of seismic events, producing real-time 3D velocity maps that highlight zones of stress build-up or release. Unlike traditional tools that rely on limited point data or complex modeling, our approach ensures reliable results through built-in quality checks and integration with blasting schedules to distinguish natural stress shifts from mining activity. All of this is wrapped into the VISTA software suite—an easy-to-use platform that transforms complex geophysical data into actionable insights for engineers and decision-makers. This not only enhances safety and risk management but also improves operational efficiency in mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Figure: Sensor layout and mine geometry in two sections: red dots indicate sensors; gray lines show mine openings (top and side views).
Advantages:
Potential Application: