Ultrasonic Sensors for Mining Equipment

Accurate, reliable, and precision ultrasonic sensing solutions that work.

Industrial Sensors for Mining

Mining operations require reliable level and distance measurement in harsh environments. Dust, vibration, and explosive atmospheres are common challenges often found in mining.

Migatron’s mining sensor provides non-contact measurement for bins, conveyors, and material handling equipment, helping mining operators monitor levels, prevent overfilling, and maintain flow of material.

Migatron intrinsically safe sensors for mining come with approval for use in mines susceptible to firedamp, explosive gas atmospheres and explosive dust atmospheres.

Hazardous Location Ultrasonic Sensors

Migatron’s intrinsically safe ultrasonic sensors are tested and approved to meet Ex ia Ma protection level for equipment used in underground coal mines and related surface facilities. This approval ensures that our sensors remain operational in explosive atmospheres that may contain firedamp (methane gas) and coal dust clouds under normal mine conditions (0.8 to 1.1 bar pressure, -20°C to +60°C).

This protection level confirms that properly designed intrinsically safe ‘ia’ circuits, such as those used in our sensors, are inherently safe even in atmospheres with a significantly higher ignition energy threshold—like those involving coal dust.

View Intrinsically Safe Sensors 
ultrasonic sensor on mining materials

A Mining Sensor for MSHA Approved Systems

Many mining environments contain combustible dust and/or gas, requiring mining sensors with approvals for hazardous areas.

Migatron offers the RPS-409A-MSHA Intrinsically Safe Ultrasonic Sensor (MSHA No. 18-ISA260001-0). The RPS-409A-MSHA is ready to be integrated into your MSHA approved system or machine for use in underground gassy mines.

View the RPS-409A-MSHA

ATEX, IECEx, and ANZEx for Hazardous Mining Abroad 

Migatron’s intrinsically safe ultrasonic sensors meet internationally recognized hazardous location standards including ATEX, IECEx, and ANZEx. Migatron’s intrinsically safe sensors have an Ma protection level, so they can remain energized and functional in mines endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust clouds. The explosion protection markings for Migatron’s intrinsically safe sensors is Ex ia I Ma.

ATEX is based on European Union directives governing equipment used in explosive atmospheres. These standards require equipment to be engineered so it cannot ignite combustible gas or dust. IECEx provides a global certification framework for equipment used in hazardous environments. It allows manufacturers and engineers to deploy intrinsically safe instrumentation across multiple international markets using a standardized safety evaluation.

ANZEx is the hazardous area certification system used in Australia and New Zealand, aligning closely with IECEx while meeting regional regulatory requirements.

Learn More: Read our blog post about Hazardous Mining Environments

An Application for Mining Equipment

belt alignment monitoring with an ultrasonic sensor

Conveyor Belt Alignment and Tracking

Featured Intrinsically Safe Sensor: RPS-409A-MSHA

In the mining industry, conveyor belt alignment is essential to maintaining efficiency, but misalignment can cause spillage, equipment wear, and downtime. For operations in firedamp and coal dust prone environments, OEMs and mining engineers require sensing technology that remains functional under hazardous conditions.

How It Works

  • The ultrasonic sensor is mounted overhead, near the belt’s edge
  • Continuously measures belt position using ultrasonic pulses
  • Transmits analog output to PLC 
  • Enables real-time correction to reduce belt drift, wear, and unplanned stoppages

Why RPS-409A-MSHA

  • Analog output for easy integration with alignment control systems
  • Durable PVC housing and IP-rated construction for harsh mining environments

Typical Mining Applications

Migatron’s mining sensor could be used in mining equipment including:

  • Bin level monitoring
  • Ore storage level measurement
  • Conveyor alignment monitoring
  • Crusher feed monitoring
  • Aggregate hopper level detection
  • Continuous haulage systems

 

Learn More: Read our blog post about applications for Mining Sensors

secondary crusher illustration
three industrial sensors on bulk materials

Let’s Talk Sensors for Mining

Looking for a sensor supplier that understands mining safety standards and OEM integration? 
Migatron’s intrinsically safe ultrasonic sensors are built to meet the rigorous demands of Group I, Category M1 mining environments, including firedamp and coal dust. Our sensors are engineered to remain functional in the harshest conditions.

Contact us today to discuss how Migatron can support your next mining equipment project.