Real time data means more time at the face.


Real time data means more time at the face.

News

22 February 2026


Single-cable design simplifies underground electrical deployment while improving reliability and content delivery


Sudbury, Ontario
— Extending electrical power underground is one of the most complex, costly, and safety-critical aspects of deploying digital infrastructure in mining environments. Maestro Digital Mine is addressing that challenge with the launch of its Power over Ethernet (PoE)-enabled SuperBrite™ Marquee Display. By delivering power and real-time data over a single Ethernet cable through Maestro’s Plexus PowerNet communications system, the display eliminates the need to run high-voltage AC power to each unit, simplifying installation and reducing electrical risk underground.

In underground operations, installing traditional AC-powered digital signage often requires certified electricians, additional panels and breakers, safety inspections, and production interruptions that increase project scope, cost, and scheduling complexity. PoE significantly lowers that barrier by allowing displays to be powered using low-voltage Ethernet cabling, reducing installation time and safety constraints. Reducing separate power infrastructure also minimizes potential failure points in environments where dust, vibration, and moisture are constant challenges.

“Extending electrical power in underground mining environments introduces cost, risk, and operational disruption,” said Michael Gribbons, Founder, President and CEO of Maestro Digital Mine. “By using Power over Ethernet, the SuperBrite™ Marquee Display removes the need to treat signage as a special electrical project. It becomes a standard, managed network device, delivering trusted information reliably without introducing additional electrical complexity underground.”

Designed for continuous 24/7 operation in harsh underground environments, the SuperBrite™ Marquee Display provides high-visibility LED readouts of real-time environmental and ventilation data, including airflow, gas concentrations, humidity, and temperature. As part of the Maestro Digital Mine ecosystem, the display integrates directly with Vigilante AQS™ and Zephyr AQS™ air quality monitoring stations, delivering live data over a managed PoE network rather than relying on locally maintained systems. Centralized power and network management allow operators to monitor device status, reset displays remotely, and ensure information remains current and visible underground.

Built-in fail-safe behavior alerts crews if communication is lost, preventing outdated information from being relied upon. When powered through PoE switches with backup power, displays can also maintain predictable operation during brief outages, supporting more consistent information delivery in safety-critical environments.

By eliminating the requirement for dedicated electrical infrastructure at each display, the PoE-enabled SuperBrite™ Marquee Display also makes it easier to add, replace, or relocate signage as underground networks expand—without triggering additional electrical work or re-certification.

Maestro Digital Mine will be attending SME MineXchange 2026, taking place February 22–25 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company will be available to discuss the PoE-enabled SuperBrite™ Marquee Display, along with its broader underground communications and monitoring solutions, at Booth #1126.

About Maestro Digital Mine

Maestro Digital Mine designs and manufactures industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices, last-mile digital communication networks and analytics software for underground mining. Its solutions support real-time environmental monitoring, ventilation optimization and digital connectivity, helping mining companies improve worker safety, operational efficiency, and decision-making in complex underground environments.

For more information, visit www.maestrodigitalmine.com.

Media Contact:

Lindsay Moorhouse
Director, Marketing and Communications
Maestro Digital Mine
lindsay.moorhouse@maestrodigitalmine.com

 

04 July 2022
05 July 2021
16 February 2021
24 February 2020
05 November 2018

SUDBURY, ON - The Ultra-Deep Mining Network (UDMN) held its second annual Symposium for its 76 network members from across Canada and announced the first of many UDMN commercial successes by one of its members, Maestro Mine Ventilation.

Maestro was presented with UDMN's Outstanding Achievement in Commercialization award for a technical innovation which ensures the safety of underground miners. The rapid commercial sale of this product to some of the deepest mines in the world is a testament that Maestro's efforts combined with UDMN funding and guidance can in fact bring technology faster to market which in turn benefits the mining industry and Canadians.

 
Maestro's Vigilante AQS™ is currently being used in over 70 underground mines globally.

Underground mines have challenging environmental conditions that include toxic gases from the drill and blast operation or gases given off by the surrounding strata rock. Protecting miners from acute or chronic gas with potential detrimental health conditions is paramount for any responsible mining company. To achieve this, a variety of sensors are required to transmit real time data from the underground workings to the surface control rooms. By using this technology, miners are able to return safely to their working areas quicker allowing significant productivity increases. However, these sensors require frequent maintenance and calibration in order to maintain accurate measurements. The previous technology required underground calibrations at each individual location using test gases. Several physical and environmental challenges prevented an accurate and repeatable calibration.
 
Maestro, with the support of the UDMN, has tackled this real-life application by designing and developing a digital gas sensor that can be calibrated on surface in a stable controlled environment. The digital sensors then can be "hot swapped" by a ventilation technician without the requirement of any sort of underground calibration.

Built upon the IoT (Internet of Things), the digital sensors have a complete suite of diagnostics to help determine the health of the complete system and provide maximum system uptime.

"This innovation has allowed our Vigilante AQS™ environmental stations to be installed in some of the deepest mines on the planet," states Michael Gribbons, vice-president of Maestro. "Prior to this innovation, the underground miners lacked the confidence of the gas readings since there was no practical method of calibrating the sensors or understanding if the sensors were even working. The IoT digital sensors allow this to become a reality. This will result in major productivity improvements by getting the miners safely back to the face quicker."

Maestro is driven to provide ventilation solutions to improve the underground work environment and extend miner's lives while still providing economical solutions to increase production, conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gases.
 
To learn more about how to increase productivity and help keep miner's safe, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
UDMN HOR
 


For more information:
Michael Gribbons
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Phone: +1 705 805-6918 ext 203
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Maestro Mine Ventilation
(a division of High Grade Controls Corporation)
87 Magill Street
Sudbury, Ontario P3Y 1K6 Canada
www.maestroventilation.com

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