Monitel Exhibiting at WA Mining Conference 2025 — Booth A128

We’re excited to share that Monitel will be exhibiting at the WA Mining Conference & Exhibition 2025, taking place in Perth on 8–9 October. You’ll find us alongside ENVSS at Booth A128 – together, we’ll be showcasing how the latest in geotechnical and structural monitoring can elevate safety, compliance, and performance across mining operations.

What Monitel Brings

At Monitel, we specialise in structural and geotechnical instrumentation, monitoring, and reporting. We help clients understand their assets better – whether it’s infrastructure, mines, tunnels, or heavy machinery – through high-quality sensor systems, automated alerts, data-driven insights, and engineering expertise.

Some of our key service areas include:

• Piezometer Monitoring – For tailings dams, embankments, boreholes; essential for ensuring slope stability and regulatory compliance.
• Structural Instrumentation Services – Sensors and instrumentation for monitoring wall movement, vibration, tunnels and other structures to detect deformation, stress, and other risk indicators.
• Vibration Monitoring – Machine vibration monitoring to detect potential issues early, avoid failures, protect uptime, and enhance safety.
• Monitoring & Reporting Platforms – Real-time dashboards, custom alerts, automated data capture and analysis to support decision making, compliance and maintenance strategies.

Why Visit Us at Booth A128

If you’re attending the WA Mining Conference, here’s why stopping by Monitel (with ENVSS) could be well worth your time:

• Discover how combining monitoring + environmental & safety services can give you a more integrated, proactive risk management strategy.
• See live examples of monitoring technology (piezometers, tilt sensors, vibration sensors etc.) and how data gets turned into actionable insights.
• Discuss with our engineers how Monitel’s site-tailored solutions can help you with stability issues, compliance obligations (especially related to tailings, dam safety, wall and structure stability), and predictive maintenance.
• Learn how our platforms make reporting more manageable, with real-time alerts, dashboards, and clear documentation for audits / regulatory review.

If you’ve got a particular challenge you’d like to talk through (for example, dam monitoring, slope stability, vibration in critical equipment, or wall movement), we’d love to set aside some time at the conference. Reach out in advance at admin@monitel.com.au or via phone at (08) 6219 8284.

We look forward to seeing you at Booth A128, and exploring how structural and geotechnical monitoring can make a difference in your operations.

Choosing the Right Piezometer for Your Project

Pore pressure plays a critical role in the behaviour of soil and rock, especially in large infrastructure, mining and geotechnical projects. Choosing the right piezometer can prove the difference in monitoring that pressure accurately and effectively.

Monitel designs and installs monitoring systems using a wide range of piezometer types suited to the specific needs of each site. Our systems can assist in detecting seepage, assessing stability and preventing failures in structures ranging form embankments to tailings dams.

This article explains six piezometer types commonly used in Western Australia. If you are still unsure what suits your project best, you can speak with a member of the Monitel team at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

Vibrating Wire Piezometer (VWP)

VWPs attach a tensioned wire to a diaphragm. When pore pressure changes, the diaphragm moves and alters the wire’s frequency, which is then converted into a signal representing pressure. VWPS offer remote data access, allowing quick responses to anomalies issues and analysis of data trends.

The Monitel team deploys VWPs at sites across Western Australia, notably at the Alkimos Desalination Plant. Installed at specified locations, VWP data proved important in understanding soil stability in an area earmarked for a tank structure.

Applications:

• Long-term geotechnical monitoring
• Embankments, dams and boreholes
• Sites requiring automated or remote data access

Advantages:

• High accuracy and long-term stability
• Immune to electrical interference and cable length issues
• Suitable for use with data loggers and cloud-based systems

Standpipe Piezometer

In a standpipe piezometer, a slotted PVC pipe is installed in a borehole. Groundwater enters the pipe and the water level is measured manually using a dip tape or water level meter, providing a representation of pore water pressure at that depth.

Unlike a VWP, these sensors do not provide real time, remote data. It is also important to note that they do not always perform reliable when measuring rapid pressure changes.

Our team will deploy a standpipe piezometer where manual readings are sufficient or even more suitable. This is often during basic groundwater level tracking for excavation or site preparation.

Applications:

• Short- to medium-term groundwater monitoring
• Projects with limited budget or where automation is unnecessary

Advantages:

• Simple to install
• Low cost
• Useful for checking static water levels over time

High-Temperature Vibrating Wire Piezometer

High temperature VWPs are specially designed to operate in high-temperature environments, boosted by modified materials and thermal protection. They work in the same way as any other vibrating wire piezometer.

Monitel has utilised these sensors in tailings dams or buried environments where pore water temperatures exceed 80°C.

Applications:

• Tailings dams with elevated pore temperatures
• Other geothermal or high-heat industrial applications

Advantages:

• Performs reliably in temperatures where standard sensors would fail
• Maintains signal integrity in extreme conditions
• Ideal for long-term projects with thermal variation

Drive-In Piezometer

Drive-in piezometers are pre-assembled and driven into the ground using rods or CPT rigs, without the need for drilling or casing. They measure pore water pressure at the depth of the installation. These sensors are best suited to soft soils and are ideal for rapid deployment in tailings dams or embankments.

We will often deploy a drive-in piezometer where conventional boreholes are not possible. This may be on a site with wet foundations or in soft tailings.

Applications:

• Soft ground
• Tailings dams
• Sites with limited access or where quick installation is critical

Advantages:

• Quick and straightforward installation
• Minimal site disturbance
• Suitable for rapid-deployment monitoring programs

Strain Gauge Piezometer

Similar to a VWP, strain gauge piezometers use an electrical strain gauge to measure diaphragm deflection. As pore pressure changes, the strain on the diaphragm alters the electrical resistance. The strain is then converted into a measurable signal.

It is worth noting that strain gauge piezometers are more susceptible to electrical noise and power loss than VWPs.

Monitel will often choose this sensor in environments where pressure changes quickly. This may be beneath vibrating machinery or within variable load zones.

Applications:

• Projects that require a sensor with fast response times
• Projects with monitoring systems that are electrically integrated

Advantages:

• Fast reaction time
• Compatible with digital systems
• Provides continuous electrical output

Pressure Transducer Piezometers

Pressure transducer piezometers convert pressure into a continuous electrical signal using strain gauge or MEMS technology. This sensor integrates well with automated systems, as the signal is transmitted in real time.

The Monitel team choose pressure transducer piezometers for environmental boreholes, water management sites and compliance projects. Their capacity for continuous monitoring makes them a suitable option for these activities.

Applications:

• Borehole water level monitoring
• Environmental and groundwater compliance projects

Advantages:

• Real-time output for quick intervention
• Integrates with cloud-based monitoring
• Suited to both shallow and deep installations

Monitel: Perth Based Piezometer Supplier

Our team works closely with site managers and engineers to select the most appropriate sensors for your project. We make sure to consider site conditions, monitoring duration, regulatory requirements and any other critical factors.

At Monitel, we pride ourselves on a technology-agnostic approach – meaninng that we’re not tied to any one product or brand. We will always choose the sensor that meets your project’s needs, not ours.

If you would like advice about the piezometer thats best fits your project, you can contact a member of our team at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

How Real-Time Machine Vibration Monitoring Protects Your Equipment and Minimises Delays

Machine vibration is a leading (and sometimes ignored) indicator of mechanical wear, misalignment and potential failure. Left unchecked, excessive vibration creates dangers not only for equipment, but also for building occupants and project timelines.

In industries where heavy machinery is critical – like mining, manufacturing and construction – machine vibration monitoring plans can prove essential in reducing costs, maintaining safety and proving compliance.

In Western Australia, these industries operate under strict safety and reliability standards, including:

• ISO 10816 / ISO 20816 – Defines acceptable vibration levels for rotating machinery.
• AS 2670.2-1990 – Addresses whole-body vibration exposure.
• Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 – Requires mine operators to maintain safe operating conditions for machinery.

Implementing a comprehensive vibration monitoring plan ensures compliance with these standards, reducing the risk of legal penalties and operational delays.

In this article, we explain how machine vibration monitoring protects your equipment and minimises downtime to help your site maintain productivity.

If you would prefer to speak directly with a member of the our team, you can contact Monitel at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

Why Machine Vibration Monitoring Matters

Vibration occurs naturally in machinery, but abnormal vibration patterns often signal mechanical issues that could escalate into serious failures. Monitoring vibration gives operators the information to:

• Detect early signs of wear and tear before they cause shutdowns.
• Prevent damage to critical components like bearings, motors and gearboxes.
• Optimise maintenance schedules, reducing unnecessary servicing while ensuring equipment remains operational.
• Ensure compliance with regulations by maintaining machinery within acceptable vibration limits.

With a robust and continuous monitoring plan, businesses can transition from reactive to predictive maintenance.

The Vibration Metrics That Affect Machine Health

Understanding vibration data is crucial for diagnosing potential equipment problems. The parameters we find most informative and reliable include:

Peak Particle Velocity (PPV)

PPV measures how quickly ground or machine components are vibrating, recording data in mm/s.

It is used to assess whether vibration is likely to cause damage to surrounding structures the integrity of the machine.

Frequency (Hz)

Frequency indicates how many vibration cycles occur per second, measured in hertz (Hz). Different vibration frequencies are linked to different machinery issues, for example:

• High frequencies could suggest a bearing failure
• Low frequencies may indicate misalignment

Acceleration (m/s²)

Measuring in metres per second squared (m/s²), acceleration tracks how fast vibration levels are increasing.

This can prove critical in detecting the impact forces that can lead to sudden mechanical failure.

 

Assessing these parameters, vibration sensor data can provide real-time insights into a machine’s condition. This allows operators to adjust processes, schedule maintenance or shut down equipment before damage occurs.

You can read about the other metrics we monitor in our article ‘How to Interpret Vibration Data’.

How Monitel’s Vibration Monitoring Systems Work

At Monitel, we tailor machine vibration monitoring solutions to mining, construction and heavy industry. Designed for high-risk environments, our systems feature:

• High Precision Sensors: Easy-to-install, real-time data collection.
• Automated Alerts: Our reporting software sends instant notifications when vibration exceeds safe thresholds.
• Customised Monitoring Plans – Tailored solutions to match your equipment type, operating environment, and compliance requirements.

Machine vibration monitoring is a critical practice to minimise delays, protect equipment and ensure safety onsite. Continuous monitoring will identify the early warning signs of mechanical failure, helping you prevent breakdowns and optimise maintenance.

To learn more about how our vibration monitoring solutions or any other structural instrumentation, you can contact Monitel at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

 

How to Interpret Vibration Data: Key Metrics and What They Mean

Vibration monitoring is an important practice in detecting structural instability, equipment malfunctions and ground movement.

However, collecting vibration data is only useful if you understand how to interpret it. With a firm grasp of key vibration metrics, stakeholders can identify early warning signs, prevent failures and optimise maintenance strategies.

In this article, we break down the key metrics for vibration monitoring, what they measure and how they can be used to make informed decisions about structural and equipment health.

If you would prefer to speak directly with a member of the Monitel team to learn more, you can contact us at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

Key Vibration Metrics and Their Importance

1. Amplitude: Measuring Vibration Severity

Amplitude refers to the magnitude or intensity of vibration and is typically measured in millimetres per second (mm/s) or metres per second squared (m/s²). It indicates how much movement or force is being exerted on a structure or machine.

• High amplitude vibrations can signal structural instability, misalignment or excessive loading.
• Low amplitude vibrations are generally expected in machinery and structures but should be consistent over time.

2. Frequency: Identifying the Source of Vibration

Frequency refers to how often a vibration occurs over a given time period, measured in Hertz (Hz).

• Low-frequency vibrations (0-30 Hz) are typically associated with ground movement, construction activity and large structural shifts.
• Mid-range frequencies (30-1000 Hz) are often linked to equipment movement, rotating machinery and industrial processes.
• High-frequency vibrations (1000+ Hz) can indicate small but critical issues such as component failures, bearing defects or metal fatigue.

Vibration frequency indicates to engineers whether the vibration source is environmental, structural or mechanical.

3. Velocity: Assessing Structural and Machinery Health

Velocity measures how quickly a vibrating object moves, typically recorded in mm/s. It is one of the most widely used parameters for assessing both structural health and machinery performance.

• Moderate velocity changes may indicate minor misalignment or increasing stress on a system.
• Sudden spikes in velocity can suggest impending failure, excessive wear or changes in load distribution.

Many industry standards use velocity as a key parameter for setting acceptable vibration levels.

4. Acceleration: Detecting Sudden Structural Shifts

Acceleration measures how fast vibration is increasing or decreasing and is expressed in m/s² or g-force (g). This metric is particularly important in applications where sudden movement could indicate instability or failure.

• In mining and excavation sites, sudden acceleration changes may indicate ground shifts or slope failures.
• In industrial settings, high acceleration levels may signal mechanical looseness, excessive impact forces or structural fatigue.

Acceleration data helps engineers predict catastrophic failures before they occur, making it a crucial component in real-time monitoring systems.

How Vibration Data Assists Risk Management

Real-time vibration monitoring solutions provide accurate, actionable data to industries where structural integrity is critical.

We integrate structural instrumentation, such high-precision sensors and casings, to help clients track vibration trends, set thresholds and detect anomalies before they escalate into major issues.

Monitel’s monitoring solutions can be tailored for:

• Construction Sites – Detecting vibrations from piling, excavation, and heavy machinery.
• Mining Operations – Monitoring ground movement and blasting effects.
• Industrial Facilities – Tracking machine vibrations to optimise performance and prevent failures.
• Tunnels and Bridges – Ensuring the stability of critical infrastructure.

Monitel: Leaders in Vibration Monitoring in Western Australia

Understanding the individual elements of vibration can provide valuable insight into the structural health of your site. Machinery issues, failures and other dangers can all be identified through these key metrics.

By using vibration data correctly, Western Australian industry can enhance safety, improve maintenance strategies and extend the lifespan of its critical assets.

If you are in need of a reliable, real-time vibration monitoring solution, you can contact Monitel at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.