Mining Surveillance System

RF Mesh Network Solutions for Smart Meters

Mining Surveillance System

The mining industry today faces significant challenges related to pilferage, which not only fosters black marketing of minerals but also reduces the royalty revenue for the government. To combat these issues, the Directorate of Geology and Mining (DGM) has embraced technological advancements, implementing unmanned check posts to scrutinize vehicles (specifically trucks) passing through these posts for transit passes and to penalize defaulters.

The proposed solution involves the use of cameras and RFID readers installed at these posts. The cameras capture various images of the vehicles, including the number plate, front view, and top view, while the RFID readers collect data from the vehicle's RFID tags.

RF Mesh Network Solutions for Smart Meters

Here's a detailed breakdown of the system's operation :

1. Image and Data Capture: The cameras at the check post capture multiple images of each vehicle. This includes:

  • Number Plate Image: For vehicle identification.
  • Front Image: For additional verification and documentation.
  • Top Image: To detect the type and presence of minerals.
  • RFID Tag Data: Captured by RFID readers to provide a unique identifier for each vehicle.

2. Edge Computing: The captured data is sent to an edge computing device installed at the post. This device runs proprietary software that processes the images and RFID data to:

  • Identify Vehicle Number: Using optical character recognition (OCR) from the number plate image.
  • Determine Vehicle Type: Classifying whether it is a truck, car, bike, etc.
  • Analyze Top Image: Using AI-based image processing models to identify if the vehicle is carrying minerals and, if so, determine the type of mineral.

3. Data Transmission: The analyzed data is compiled into a packet for each vehicle and transmitted to a cloud server for further processing. The system is designed to operate both online and offline, ensuring continuous functionality regardless of internet connectivity.



4. Real-time Monitoring and Alerts: The cloud-based system enables real-time monitoring of vehicle movements and activities. It can immediately alert authorities to any suspicious activities or violations, facilitating prompt action.



As of now, the system has processed approximately 30 million trucks and is operational at 50 locations. This extensive deployment underscores its effectiveness and reliability in addressing the challenges of illegal mining and transportation.

Achievements and Impact:

  • Enhanced Scrutiny: By automating the scrutiny process, the system minimizes human intervention, reducing the risk of corruption and errors.
  • Increased Penalty Recovery: The system’s efficiency has led to significant recovery of penalties from defaulters, contributing to increased government revenue.
  • Deterrence of Illegal Activities: The real-time detection and penalization of illegal activities serve as a strong deterrent against pilferage and black marketing.
  • Operational Scalability: The system’s ability to function both online and offline ensures scalability and reliability across diverse locations.