Creating smart systems to help evacuate and rescue miners in emergencies
Official title: Design and demonstration of intelligent mine evacuation and mine rescue system
Funded at New Mexico Inst of Mining & Technology · NIH-10831375 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about creating smart robots and technology to help keep miners safe during emergencies, making it easier for them and rescue teams to find their way out of dangerous situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New Mexico Inst of Mining & Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Socorro, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $998,504 |
| NIH project number | 5U60OH012351-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10831375 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include miners and mining personnel who may face hazardous conditions in underground environments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who work in non-mining industries or those not involved in underground operations may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing intelligent systems to enhance the safety and efficiency of mine evacuations and rescues during emergencies. By integrating advanced robotics and autonomous technologies, the project aims to assist both miners and rescue teams in navigating hazardous environments. The interdisciplinary team, including experts from multiple mining schools and research institutions, will design and demonstrate these innovative solutions to improve decision-making and reduce risks during critical situations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the chances of survival for miners trapped in emergencies by providing timely and effective rescue assistance.
How similar studies have gone: While the integration of robotics in emergency response is a growing field, this specific approach to mine evacuation and rescue systems is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in the mining sector.
Where this research is happening
-
New Mexico Inst of Mining & Technology
Socorro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mojtabai, Navid — New Mexico Inst of Mining & Technology
- Study coordinator: Mojtabai, Navid
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.