Project Overview
TANDM partnered with Ackcio to deploy a wireless monitoring system at a dry tailings storage facility in the Limpopo region.
The project aimed to verify design performance, monitor geotechnical conditions during operation, and ensure long-term stability in an environment with strict engineering requirements.
The collaboration involved TANDM’s engineering team, the construction contractor, and Ackcio’s technical support team working together to establish a reliable and scalable data acquisition network
Monitoring Challenge
Dry tailings storage facilities require continuous and precise performance monitoring to confirm design assumptions and manage operational risks.
The system needed to operate reliably in remote conditions, withstand high confining pressures, and transmit data from multiple sensor types installed both above and below critical containment layers — all without relying on wired connections or on-site servers.
TANDM developed a set of custom-built sensors to measure liner strain and sub-surface moisture under extreme pressures, and sought a wireless system that could integrate seamlessly with these instruments.
Ackcio’s Solution
Ackcio’s wireless data acquisition network was deployed to connect various geotechnical sensors, enabling real-time data transmission over a self-healing mesh network.
The hardware setup combined vibrating wire, analog, and strain measurement nodes to support the project’s instrumentation mix. Key performance parameters measured include:
- Pore water pressure
- Tensile and compressive strain
- Volumetric water content
Ackcio’s gateway and nodes were installed in stages during construction, aligning with the progressive build-up of the tailings layers. The flexibility of the wireless mesh made it possible to cover the entire facility efficiently without data loss.
Results & Impact
- Seamless integration: Custom-built strain and moisture sensors were easily connected to Ackcio’s wireless nodes.
- Reliable coverage: The mesh network automatically adapted to changes in terrain and layout, ensuring full communication coverage.
- Cost-efficient operation: One-time hardware purchase with no recurring data transmission fees.
- Cloud compatibility: Real-time data transmission directly to the client’s preferred monitoring platform.
- Remote support: Ackcio engineers provided live troubleshooting and firmware updates during commissioning, reducing onsite downtime.
Client Feedback
“Working with Ackcio on this project has been a pleasure. Any equipment is only as good as the support that comes with it — and Ackcio’s support has been excellent throughout the setup and commissioning phase.”
— TANDM Project Team
Future Plans
Following successful deployment at this site, TANDM is evaluating opportunities to apply Ackcio’s wireless monitoring technology to other tailings and geotechnical monitoring applications across the region.
