GPS is not the design baseline underground
Underground galleries, intersections, turns, and reinforced areas prevent GPS from acting as the primary operational reference. The positioning model should be designed with fixed points, zone logic, gateway coverage, and control-room reporting needs.
iBeacons create zone context
iBeacon planning in a mine tracking project is about creating useful zone context, not simply placing hardware at equal distances. Transition points, work fronts, refuge areas, restricted zones, and muster points should guide placement.
Gateways close the loop
Gateways collect selected tag, beacon, and field-device readings and move them toward the monitoring stack. Placement should consider power, backhaul, maintenance access, environmental protection, and the reporting interval expected by the project.