IIoT Based Smart Water Quality Monitoring for Sustainable Mining Practices in the Industry 4.0 Era

The environmental impact of surface coal mining has long been a concern due to its potential to disrupt water quality and ecosystems. To address these challenges and align with the principles of Industry 4.0, this study presents the development of an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) device for continuous water quality monitoring in surface coal mine outflow. The device integrates pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), temperature, and flow rate sensors, which collect real-time data and transmit it to cloud platforms, IFTTT and Blynk. The cloud integration enables data visualization, remote monitoring, and email alerts based on predefined water quality limits. The IIoT device was successfully tested in a laboratory setting, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness. Its ability to provide real-time data and proactive management makes it a promising tool for addressing water quality challenges in surface coal mining while contributing to the goals of Industry 4.0. Further deployment in real-world mining scenarios will be vital to assess its full potential and impact on the mining industry’s environmental footprint.