Sudbury mine ventilation project lauded.

A Sudbury company is being recognized for a unique technology taking them deeper into mines.

Maestro Mine Ventilation developed a digital gas sensor as part of their participation in the $35-million Ultra-Deep Mining Network (UDMN). It was the first commercial success for the network of 76 members across Canada.

UDMN, a program bosted by the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), is working with some of the deepest mines in Canada--2.5 kilometres and deeper--to help the mining industry develop and adopt innovative technologies that are commercially viable.

In December, Maestro received UDMN's Outstanding Achievement in Commercialization award for their technical innovation, which ensures the safety of underground miners. They also won the Northern Ontario Business Judge's Choice Award this fall.

Underground mines have challenging environmental conditions that include toxic gases from the drill and blast operation or gases given off by the surrounding strata rock. A variety of sensors are required to transmit real-time data from the underground workings to the surface control rooms.

These sensors require frequent maintenance and calibration in order to maintain accurate measurements. The previous technology required underground calibrations at each individual location using test gases; however, several physical and environmental challenges prevented an accurate and repeatable calibration.

Maestro tackled this real-life application by designing and developing a digital gas sensor that can be calibrated on surface in a stable controlled...