CANBERRA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- A new groundwater sensor system developed by Australia's national science agency CSIRO will help mining operators monitor and manage groundwater in a faster, cheaper and more reliable way.
The technology, called Sensei, is a multi-sensor system that enables users to collect data on the pH, reduction potential, temperature and conductivity of the groundwater.
The technology would replace labour-intensive manual monitoring and save resources.
The robust sensor unit can be embedded into groundwater wells and aquifers and deliver continuous data for months without the need for manual calibration or maintenance.
CSIRO scientists say Sensei has been built to withstand extreme environments and has already been successfully trialed at the Four Mile West mine in South Australia, where it is still operational after 12 months.
CSIRO Research Leader, Dr Kathie McGregor, said on Tuesday the new system offered a revolutionary solution to current groundwater monitoring.
"SENSEI is an automated system which delivers reliable groundwater data in real time, saving companies time and money on labour from traditional manual monitoring approaches," McGregor said.
With real-time analytical capability, Sensei can provide early alerts so companies can mitigate environmental issues arising in groundwater management.
"Because data can be accessed immediately on-site or remotely via the cloud, the user has the ability to detect any anomalies quickly and take action as soon as possible," McGregor said.
In its media release, CSIRO said Sensei had been designed and tested for use in groundwater monitoring but could be adapted for other applications which need chemical and physical monitoring in extreme environments.
A prototype unit will be on display at the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne this week. Enditem
