Utilizing Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for Void Detection and Safety in Saskatchewan
Understanding the Risks of Abandoned Coal Mines
In recent years, the City of Saskatoon has experienced voids and sinkholes that have caused serious damage to vehicles and infrastructure. Many of these hazards originate from abandoned coal mines beneath the city and surrounding areas.
In the late 1800s, coal miners accessed coal seams through:
Manual excavation along valley slopes and ravines
Sinking adits (horizontal or inclined corridors)
Sinking vertical shafts through the overburden into coal seams
When these mines were abandoned, mine entrances were often sealed, but the underground tunnels and chambers were left largely unreclaimed. Over time, these mined-out areas may collapse, leading to surface subsidence and the formation of sinkholes, which pose serious safety hazards.
These hazards can affect existing infrastructure, including:
Roads and highways
Transmission lines
Flowlines and pipelines
Well sites
Parking lots and other developed areas
Proactive detection of underground voids is essential to prevent accidents, equipment damage, and costly repairs.
How Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Helps Identify Void Hazards
To mitigate these risks, ATL Group conducts Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys to locate buried coal mine hazards around both existing and proposed infrastructure sites.
GPR is a non-invasive geophysical method that sends electromagnetic waves into the ground to detect subsurface anomalies, such as:
Collapsed mine shafts
Underground voids
Subsidence-prone areas
Once identified, these areas are carefully evaluated for:
Safe site selection
Planning access routes to minimize risk
Preventing injury and damage to personnel or equipment
Early detection allows project managers to avoid hazardous zones, ensuring both worker safety and project continuity.
Efficient GPR Survey Methods Used by ATL Group
ATL Group utilizes advanced equipment and methods to perform efficient and accurate surveys:
GPR antennas are mounted on a SmartCart or SmartSled, which can be easily towed behind a UTV
Surveys are conducted with a TopCon GPS receiver for precise location mapping
Collected data is processed using EkkoProject software
Results are visualized in maps and .shp files, prepared by our GIS team
This approach allows ATL Group to identify avoidance areas, such as potential sinkholes, and provide detailed safety information for project planning.
Applications Beyond Infrastructure Projects
The same GPR void detection techniques can also be applied to:
Roads and highways
Parking lots and public spaces
Industrial and municipal facilities
By detecting potential subsurface hazards before they appear on the surface, GPR surveys help prevent accidents, reduce liability, and protect critical infrastructure.
Why Proactive Void Detection Matters
With proactive planning and GPR surveys, municipalities, construction companies, and land developers can:
Minimize risks to workers and the public
Avoid costly damage to vehicles, roads, and equipment
Improve safety planning for infrastructure projects
Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations
ATL Group’s ground-penetrating radar surveys offer a cost-effective and reliable method to address subsurface risks before they become major problems.
Contact ATL Group for GPR Surveys and Void Detection
If your project involves construction, roads, pipelines, or municipal planning, consider a GPR survey to identify subsurface voids and abandoned coal mine hazards.
Contact ATL Group to learn more about our void detection services, mapping, and GIS reporting to enhance safety and project planning.