# Design and demonstration of intelligent mine evacuation and mine rescue system

> **NIH ALLCDC U60** · NEW MEXICO INST OF MINING & TECHNOLOGY · 2021 · $906,704

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT:
When the lives of miners are in danger, or the workers self-escape from a hazardous environment is impeded,
mine emergency response systems must respond and deploy rapidly. The post-accident mine environment may
significantly increase the mission’s risk and the stress on the rescue team. Any delays in the rescue mission can
cost the lives of the trapped miners. Self-escape and mine rescue heavily rely on each individual’s level of skills
and preparedness to make the correct decision. Introducing an intelligent system to assist mine personnel and
mine rescue team during an emergency will significantly improve the likelihood of success while reducing the
risks to miners. This proposed research is an interdisciplinary collaboration to improve self-escape and mine
rescue through innovative robotic and autonomy solutions. This project brings together a diverse and highly
reputable group of faculty from three mining schools (New Mexico Tech, University of Arizona, University of
Nevada, Reno), researchers from NIOSH-Mining, Sandia National Lab, NASA, stakeholders, mining companies,
and technology developers/licensors. The project goals were developed to address key NIOSH-NORA mining
intermediate goal “to improve mine disaster response (objective 2).” We propose to design and demonstrate
intelligent mine evacuation and mine rescue systems for underground mining applications. First, we will design
a multi-agent robotic system to assist mine rescuers during rescue missions in underground mines. The multi-
agent system is a combination of ground and aerial vehicles with complementary capabilities to complete a
rescue mission. Second, we will develop algorithms to assist miners to find the safest and fast paths to safety.
The algorithm relies on the existing communication and tracking system incorporating human factors into the
simulation models. Third, we will design a new communication system to optimize locating, tracking, and
communicating with trapped miners and provide AI-assisted self-escape when possible. Finally, we will create
and deliver technologically driven hybrid training products to improve self-escape and mine rescue that
incorporate the tools and strategies developed in this project. The ‘hybrid’ modules that serve as a bridge
between traditional tabletop activities, hands-on training activities and full-scale synthetic learning environments.
This effort will also be focusing on developing expertise in the area of mine health and safety by supporting eight
Ph.D. and five M.S. students. The research to practice (r2p) plan for this research include dissemination of the
project findings through publications, training, and workshops, collaboration with industry partner to technology
development and enhancement, and technology implementation with collaboration of NIOSH-Mining and
stakeholders. The intermediate outcomes of the proposed work include adoption of the developed technologies
and strategies through collaboration with ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10391806
- **Project number:** 1U60OH012351-01
- **Recipient organization:** NEW MEXICO INST OF MINING & TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Pedram Roghanchi
- **Activity code:** U60 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $906,704
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10391806

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10391806, Design and demonstration of intelligent mine evacuation and mine rescue system (1U60OH012351-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10391806. Licensed CC0.

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