Application of biosensors with GPS locators for monitoring the health of miners in underground mines: a comprehensive framework for enhanced safety and operational efficiency

Underground mining operations present significant safety challenges due to harsh environmental conditions, limited visibility, and potential exposure to toxic gases. This paper presents a comprehensive framework integrating wearable biosensors with advanced positioning technologies to enhance miner safety and operational efficiency. The proposed system combines real-time physiological monitoring (heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation) with precise underground positioning using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. Analysis of empirical data from multiple mining operations demonstrates substantial improvements in safety metrics, including a 31-50% reduction in incident rates, 50-64% improvement in emergency response times, and 95-98% accuracy in hazard detection123. The integrated system architecture encompasses four primary layers: wearable sensor networks, underground positioning infrastructure, communication mesh systems, and data analytics platforms. Cost-benefit analysis indicates a return on investment breakeven point of 1.7 years with an initial investment of $80,000 for a 50-miner operation [1].