ASDR

Our approach started with a deep Discovery Phase focused on understanding the operational reality and the technical constraints. We worked closely with ASDR through a series of calls, explored multiple potential solutions, and engaged with hardware suppliers to assess feasibility.

An initial site visit to an ASDR client mine site allowed us to test early hypotheses using camera-based vision technologies and tilt sensors while refining our understanding of the environment. These insights were consolidated into a solution proposal outlining the most viable paths forward.

Through its support under the Vortex Program, the MISA Group contributed to aligning mining operational requirements with the technological expertise of ASDR and Osedea. This collaborative approach helped define the conditions for successful adoption of a digital Geotube®inspection solution, leveraging automation and data-driven monitoring to improve operational efficiency, accelerate decision-making, and support the evolution toward increasingly autonomous mining operations.

Building on this foundation, we moved into R&D. In alignment with ASDR, we selected Geolux LX-80S radar sensors, a technology capable of emitting electromagnetic waves that can penetrate snow. The concept was to place a reflective plate on the Geotube® that would return a signal to the sensor, even when buried. Additional development work was required to integrate the radar technology into an industrial automation environment and ensure seamless communication with the site's control systems.

To overcome this, we bypassed the proprietary software and retrieved raw data directly through the industrial network. This decision meant rebuilding the signal-processing layer from the ground up. We developed a custom filtering logic designed to distinguish between snow and ice, the reflective plate, and the ground. To validate this approach, we ran extensive lab testing using freshly collected snow, iterating daily and refining the algorithm over eight weeks until it was ready for real-world conditions.

In January 2025, we deployed the solution at the mine, and began the pilot phase. The hardware performed as expected, with radar waves successfully penetrating the snow. Then, our challenge shifted to the software. Ice buildup inside the Geotube® created interference, generating ghost echoes and multiple reflections that made the signal difficult to interpret. Rather than increasing on-site interventions, we focused on refining the algorithm remotely. By introducing clustering logic and temporal smoothing, we enabled the system to filter out noise and lock onto the stable signal of the reflective plate. This transformed unreliable raw data into precise measurements accurate to the centimeter.