Silcock, S, Burns, M, Eliasson, J, Crompton, B & Vakili, A 2026, 'Integrating Smart Bolt technology in critical excavations', in D Cumming-Potvin & J Wesseloo (eds), Ground Support 2026: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Ground Support in Mining, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-11, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2625_33
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2625_33_Burns/)
Abstract: MMG Rosebery underground mine has been in continuous operation for over 90 years. Much of the legacy infrastructure was established at a time when the ore reserve was smaller than it is today. Expansion of the mineable resource has resulted in some critical infrastructure being located closer to stoping panels than originally intended.
Targeted numerical modelling was undertaken to better understand changes in and around key infrastructure associated with additional stoping. This was used to inform strategies to manage the changing geotechnical environment.
Modelling indicated modest closure and capacity degradation of the installed ground support. The predicted closure remained within the ground support design limits; however, given the continuous utilisation of the infrastructure and significant disruption associated with reactive rehabilitation, a risk-based strategy was adopted. This involved phased installation of supplementary support alongside enhanced monitoring to enable early detection of change.
The paper presents a case study of the implementation of a novel ground support monitoring technology developed by ThingWave™ and deployed using Jennmar’s Smart Bolt system.
The instrument is designed to be compatible with common mechanised support installation methods and is integrated within the ground support element.
Smart Bolts provide real-time data on rock mass behaviour and support response without the need for manual collection. The system delivers high-resolution monitoring of deformation and deformation rates, enabling increased understanding of rock mass response and support performance. Sudden step changes in deformation can be attributed to specific triggers (e.g. blasting or seismic events) through continuous timestamped data recording.
The system enables engineers to estimate residual ground support capacity and assess whether sufficient capacity remains to withstand expected future demand. This provides a basis to anticipate support failure and plan upgrades proactively.
The paper explores further applications, including the use of monitoring data for numerical model inputs and validation, and the use of high-density continuous monitoring data over mine areas to optimise ground support design and application.

Keywords: smart monitoring, support capacity, residual capacity, model validation