Innovations in Mobile Mapping for Mining Surveys
The global shift away from manual skills and further towards machine learning, robotics and mobile mapping technologies means that the mining industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation. A key component of this is mobile mapping, which enables surveyors to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of their mining projects altogether.
The increasing demand for time-saving and cost-effective services has enabled surveyors to take their projects to the next level with the innovations of mobile mapping. This popular mining technique enables mining projects to not only save time, reduce costs and increase safety levels, but also increase the overall productivity levels of every area throughout the project.
While unique mobile mapping systems are gradually revolutionising the surveying industry and are explored throughout many other services, the application of mobile mapping services at Mining Surveys are fundamental to ensuring the success of your mining project. From the exploration and development stages during the start to the extraction and production sides of your projects, mobile mapping streamlines project management and is ultimately the new sustainable approach to data collection.
What Is Mobile Mapping?
Above all, mobile mapping is how geospatial information is captured from a moving vehicle in an environment, such as a mine. From unmanned vehicles such as remote cars and drones, these advanced systems can be fitted to any type of moving vehicle, in order to gain the required information from the mine itself. These vehicles can also be equipped with the following technology:
- GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)
- Photography – 360 degree imaging
- Radar
- Laser Scanning (Lidar)
- Many other remote sensing systems
Did you know?
These industry-leading laser systems can capture data points at around 1,000,000 measurements per second, gaining insightful data for a range of mining locations, with each scan consisting of millions of solo measurements.
The data that is collected provides critical information, such as:
- Imagery
Heavily important within the mining industry, aerial or ground based photography helps with any large tasks which rely on precise and accurate measurements. With the regular changing of the environment and evolution of mining sites, it becomes even more vital to have regular reporting methods that can provide up to date monitoring of development progress, slope stability and more.
- LiDAR
Through projecting high-tech laser beams across the mining site, LiDAR enables surveyors to safely and accurately map the environment in 3D. This can be applied on surface mines using drones or can be vehicle mounted and also underground. Once your have the 3D model of the mine, there are a very large number of applications for the data.
Advantages of Mobile Mapping Systems
There are a multitude of advantages to surveyors utilising mobile mapping systems, ranging from the high degree of accuracy, to the increased safety that it gives to surveyors themselves. With the outstanding quality of the data output, mobile mapping enables surveyors to capture sharp data that
traditional forms of equipment would not pick up.
Faster data collection
The impressive speed of mobile mapping allows surveyors to gain valuable information about a mine, being able to survey mines many times faster than traditional survey methods.
Increased efficiency
By taking even less time to map the survey, the productivity of the surveyors working on the site is enhanced and means that you are able to streamline the structure of your project.
High accuracy and resolution
With a combination of high-tech devices that are placed onto the top of moving vehicles throughout the mine, individuals are able to use high-tech data throughout their process and capture key details such as:
- Slope angles
- Size of mine
- Shape of mine
- Orientation of mine
- Access routes and emergency planning
- Volumes of material / overburden / stockpiles
Enhanced safety methods
Mines can often be a very dangerous area for surveyors to get into and gain measurements. Fortunately, mobile mapping means that surveyors don’t have to be in the exact position of the mapping device, reducing the amount of overall human contact whilst eliminating the risk of possible human errors.
Cost-effective
As mobile mapping can be conducted at a much faster rate, the initial cost is often softened by the number of times of usage throughout the extended period of time. This means that multiple areas of mines can be surveyed inexpensively, and more frequently reducing the costs in the long run.
The Future of Mobile Mapping For Mines
Autonomous, intelligent and simplified. This is the future of mobile mapping. With a drawn focus towards clearer and more detailed imagery, the technology used as remote sensing devices is only going to get more progressively elaborate. Providing surveyors with intricate data, they are then able to assist their client with the productive development of their project even further.
Get In Touch With Our Mobile Mapping Specialists Today
Let our team of knowledgeable geospatial experts help your project succeed today with our first-rate mobile mapping services. Contact us on +44(0)1392 362161 or please feel free to send us an email on info@merrettsurvey.com where we look forward to working with you.
