The large number of rock falls, the danger associated with such events and the frequency of their occurrence, especially in the deep mining activities in South Africa, has led to the development of a smart material (Smartbolt TM). Some 50% of underground fatalities are a result of rock-related accidents and 40% of these fatalities are due to rockbursts. A rockburst is an unpredictable, violent event. The smartbolt would be able to anticipate the potential collapse of rock, for example in supported tunnels. This will alert miners that a change in loading conditions has occurred, and warns that a rockfall may occur. Mintek, the Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee (SIMRAC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have been involved in a research project focusing on the development of a smartbolt for underground monitoring operation.