1. Water Monitoring and
Control in Mining

2. Benefits Of Automated
Monitoring Systems take action to ensure compliance with
As the wet season approaches, now is the time to
Local, State and Federal Government environmental regulations.
Automated monitoring and control systems can:
• Give real time access to environmental / machinery
condition, allowing operators to make decisions based on the
latest information available
• Alert operators to potential problems so corrective action can
be taken immediately
• Automatically turn machinery on or off when pre-set
criteria are met (e.g. tank level is full)
• Ensure all mandatory reporting criteria is recorded and
stored in a central location for future audits and mandatory
reporting
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3. Examples of Water Monitoring and
Control Systems
Wastewater treatment
systems
e.g. Water recycling,
sewerage treatment
plants
Marine environment /
water storage
e.g. Dewatering pits,
stream flow gauges,
tank level, tide height
monitoring
Dewatering pump
condition monitoring
and control
www.pacdatasys.com.au

4. Planning Your Water Monitoring
and you engage a systems integration specialist such as Pacific Data
Control System
Whether
Systems or build your own system, you will need to have an understanding of
what you want your system to achieve.
Use the following guides in your assessment of your sites project
requirement:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Sensors
Data Logging, Alarms and Process Control
Communications – 3G, Satellite or Radio Telemetry
Pacific Data Systems specialises in
Power requirements
designing and manufacturing custom
monitoring and automation systems for
water, weather, air quality and industrial
monitoring.
www.pacdatasys.com.au

5. 1) Sensors
Form an accurate list of EVERYTHING you will need to measure as the first step in the
process as this can impact on a number of other factors such as the power requirements
and data logging hardware to be used for the system.
Water Quality Monitoring Stations
Stream Flow measured by automated systems for
Dewatering Pump Monitoring
The table below outlines the common parametersGauges
Monitoring System
(Groundwater, Water Storage, Water Treatment Plants)
mining.
 Rainfall
 Temperature of bearings
Common Parameters  pH
 Turbidity
 Flow
 Electrical Conductivity
 Depth / Level
 Suspended Solids
 Electrical Conductivity
 Temperature
 Flow
 Depth / Level
Pacific Data Systems supplies a wide
range of sensors for environmental
and process monitoring including:
GE-Druck PTX 1830
Liquid Level Sensor
Vaisala WXT520
Weather Sensor
Ponsel Digital Water
Quality Sensors
www.pacdatasys.com.au

6. 2) Data Logging, Alarms and
Focussing on what you want to do with your data will help you to narrow down the type
Process Control
of data logger / process controller that is suitable for your system.
How many analog and digital inputs will you require (as per the sensors
outlined in Step 1)?
How frequently do you want to collect data from the sensors?
Do you want to be able to download the data remotely and on-demand,
without having to physically visit the system?

Do you want to have reports sent to a nominated email address?

Do you want to receive SMS or email alarms when a parameter reaches a preset limit (e.g. when the water level reaches a certain height)

Do you want audio or visual alarms to be triggered locally or at another
location?

Do you want to be able to access data from a smartphone or tablet PC?


Do you want the system to automatically turn equipment (such as pumps) Systems supplies data loggers
Pacific Data on
or off depending on the data collected?
and process control systems from major
suppliers including dataTaker, CSESemaphore, Gantner Instruments, Aegis and
Oleumtech. A range of complementary
software including smartphone apps are
available to extend the functionality of the
systems. We can also conduct wiring and
programming to ensure your system works
“out of the box” .
www.pacdatasys.com.au

7. 3) 3G, Radio or Satellite
Even if your site is in a 3G coverage area, there may be a large amount of mobile
devices transmitting data and “choking” the network. If there is too much data traffic,
Communications may be impacted.
your ability to connect to your system remotely
Satellite or radio telemetry provide reliable alternatives to using 3G communications.
Although satellite voice calls have traditionally been costly, data-only services are
available with low monthly access and cost-per-message charges.
Available from Pacific Data Systems
3G Communications:
Maxon Unimax+ HSPA+
Ethernet Modem Router
Radio
Communications:
OleumTech
Wireless
Transmitters
Satellite
Communications:
RockBLOCK Satellite
Data Communications
www.pacdatasys.com.au

8. 4) Power
If your system is to be installed remotely, it is likely
that you will need to rely on solar power with a
battery backup.
The battery size selected needs to be sufficient to
power your system during prolonged rain or cloud
cover, but the weight and cost of the battery also
needs to be factored into the decision.
The sensors, data logger, logging interval and
communications equipment will all contribute to the
total power consumption of the system.
Choose a battery with enough capacity
to power your system independently
for several days after being recharged
by your solar power kit BUT is also
sized appropriately for your enclosure.
www.pacdatasys.com.au

9. About Pacific Data
Solutions. Technology. Simple
Systems
Since 1984, Pacific Data Systems has been providing the tools to help our customers
gather the critical information needed to make faster and smarter choices. Our range of
products and services include weather, water, air and gas monitoring solutions, data
loggers and telemetry, rugged computers and field mobility software and workplace
safety solutions.
Weather Stations Water Monitoring
Air Quality
Industrial Process
Pacific Data Systems can develop a complete measurement and automation system for
e.g. Iron Ore
a wide range of applications including:
Wagon Loading
Pacific Data Systems draws on our in-house engineering and software development
experience to design turn-key customised solutions so that our customers can start
using their new systems immediately.
We have a proven record in the design, construction and commissioning of customised
solutions for environmental monitoring, process control, monitors for energy, water or
gas and more. Whatever your project, Pacific Data Systems can help you.
www.pacdatasys.com.au

10. For further information please contact
Pacific Data Systems
Ph: 07 3361 2000
sales@pacdatasys.com.au
www.pacdatasys.com.au
Download our Industrial
and
Environmental
Product Card to find out
more about our range of
products and services!
www.pacdatasys.com.au