IoT-based Coal Mine Monitoring Robot

Abstract

Because of unpredictable gas leaks, sudden tremors, moisture accumulation, and unstable underground conditions, coal mines continue to be among the most hazardous working environments. This project presents an ESP32-based environmental monitoring and safety alert system designed exclusively for underground coal mine safety. The system employs an ESP32 microcontroller integrated with MEMS-based sensors to continuously monitor critical environmental and structural parameters in real time. The proposed system focuses on detecting hazardous conditions within coal mines by tracking temperature, humidity, vibrations, ground inclination, and the presence of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) and methane. Local edge processing on the ESP32 enables rapid analysis of sensor data and immediate triggering of safety alerts when predefined thresholds are exceeded. To ensure timely communication even in remote mining locations with limited internet connectivity, the system delivers alerts through SMS notifications as well as a cloud- based dashboard accessible via web and mobile applications. Designed for deployment in harsh and infrastructure-limited environments, the system supports solar-powered operation and wireless sensor networking for scalable coverage across underground mine sections. Field testing demonstrated reliable hazard detection and prompt alert dissemination within seconds of unsafe condition detection. This cost-effective and scalable solution enhances worker safety by providing continuous underground monitoring and early warning capabilities, thereby improving operational safety and emergency preparedness in coal mining environments.