Over the past decade, GE Monitoring Systems (GEMS) has supported a large, established mining operation in Southern Africa through the gradual development of a comprehensive pore pressure monitoring network.
The installation program began with a small number of vibrating wire piezometers and expanded steadily as operational requirements grew and new monitoring zones were identified. Today, the network includes more than 200 instruments connected to over 100 data loggers across the site.
The instruments are installed across a variety of locations — from shallow 30–50 m boreholes to deeper installations exceeding 400 m — including pit walls, pumping stations, stormwater areas, and surrounding farmland used for environmental compliance monitoring. The system plays a critical role in managing seepage, maintaining drawdown balance, and preventing perched water tables that could compromise pit wall stability or impact downstream water users.