## 3 Water Transport Systems of Mining Industry: Evaluating Advanced Inspection Technologies
### Preliminary Selection of Potential Pipeline Inspection Technologies  
The evaluation identified primary inspection technologies suitable for water pipelines in the mining industry, namely Guided Wave Ultrasonic Testing (GWUT), Remote Field  
Figure 2: Different corrosion mechanisms detected in mining water pipelines. Eddy Current (RFEC), Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL), Metal Magnetic Memory (MMM), and In-Line Inspection (ILI). Guided Wave Ultrasonic Testing (GWUT) is a non-disruptive technique that utilizes ultrasonic waves to inspect pipeline conditions from a single access point. This method allows for comprehensive 360-degree coverage and is effective in detecting corrosion, wall thinning, and other structural anomalies, even in pipelines with insulation or coatings. GWUT's non-intrusive nature minimizes operational disruptions, making it particularly advantageous in mining environments where halting operations can be costly. However, GWUT has limitations, particularly in buried pipelines where signal attenuation can hinder its effectiveness over long distances, typically beyond 30 m. Additionally, it is less effective at distinguishing between internal and external corrosion and is limited in pipelines with bell-and-spigot joints or extensive coatings that impede signal transmission. Remote Field Eddy Current (RFEC) technology leverages electromagnetic induction to detect corrosion and structural defects within the pipeline material, proving highly effective for in-line inspections. RFEC excels in generating high-resolution imaging over long distances, allowing for comprehensive structural assessments. This technology is also non-intrusive and capable of detecting both internal and external corrosion simultaneously, providing critical insights into pipeline integrity and material composition. Despite these advantages, RFEC requires accessible pipeline segments compatible with inline inspection devices and works best with pipelines that maintain consistent diameter and wall thickness. These requirements can restrict its application in certain mining pipeline segments that may not conform to such specifications. Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) uses magnetic fields to detect structural anomalies in ferromagnetic pipelines by identifying distortions caused by metal loss or damage. MFL provides high-resolution imaging that supports thorough structural assessments and is effective for surface and subsurface inspection in ferromagnetic materials. Additionally, MFL quantifies the severity of detected damage, improving the accuracy of risk assessments and enabling proactive maintenance. However, its application is limited to ferromagnetic pipelines, excluding its use in non-metallic or non-ferromagnetic materials. Moreover, MFL's implementation can be costly due to the need for specialized equipment and skilled operators, which may increase operational expenses. Metal Magnetic Memory (MMM) focuses on early-stage failure detection by identifying stress concentration zones and fatigue damage. While MMM shows promise for mining pipeline conditions, especially in detecting early-stage corrosion and fatigue, its use is restricted to ferromagnetic materials and may be impacted by magnetic interference from nearby pipelines, limiting its utility in some mining environments. Together, these technologies offer a range of inspection capabilities that, when chosen and applied strategically, can significantly enhance pipeline integrity management in the mining sector. In-Line Inspection (ILI) technology employs advanced multi-sensor robotic platforms that incorporate various sensing mechanisms, such as Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) and Ultrasonic Testing (UT), to detect corrosion and structural defects within the pipeline material, proving highly effective for internal inspections. These robotic ILI tools excel in generating high-resolution imaging over long distances, allowing for comprehensive structural assessments.