Laser scanning technology has matured to the stage where it is difficult to define it as ‘new technology’. As a technology, it is constantly evolving. That’s why we ensure that we test and select the latest developments of laser scanning and put it to existing and new applications in the mining industry.
There are numerous ways in which laser scanning can benefit mining operations underground. Rapid hand held scanners are a genuinely new innovation and we have tested this technology to show it works. This will give you hand carried capability to simply walk through the workings and create a laser point cloud of the shape of all drives and stopes.
Primary ‘traversed’ control is still needed for the correct orientation of the data but for rapid updates, confirming progress and content for mine acquisition and due-diligence, for example, it cannot be beaten for speed.
Here in the image you can see underground laser scanning in an European gold mine
Just as you will see below, laser scanners can be mounted on vehicles and as many modern mines are designed for vehicle access, the mine can be mapped from a moving vehicle. Learn more about our mobile mapping and mobile laser scanning services via the mobile mapping page.
Here you can see vehicle mounted laser scanner for mobilemapping of mineral stockpiles in a phosphate mine in Morocco.
This provides higher accuracy and higher density and can be used to survey complex junctions before new drives, shafts or raises are excavated, or before the installation of new equipment and infrastructure. For example, train tracks or aerial ropeways or conveyors. We can survey the tunnel, add in the designed equipment and ensure it will fit.
If there are any areas of clashes – we can mark up where the extra break out is needed. The laser scanning method can save many thousands of dollars, pounds or whatever currency the country we’re operating in uses, in delays when installing equipment in tight spaces. Likewise, for the survey of existing shafts where new hardware is being installed. We can analyse clashes and confirm the fit for new gear.
Here you can see laser scanning of indoor phospate stockpiles for monthly audit in Morocco.
Mobile scanning where we scan from a moving vehicle enables:
Static laser scanners can be used for real time slope stability monitoring. These can be remotely operated, even from another country, and can give early warning of movements in a slope.
We refer to this as airborne Lidar, although the laser scanning technology is the same. Please refer to the our Lidar & UAV pages for information on this application of laser scanning for mining. Alternatively, you can visit our specialist lidar Lidar website.
If you wish to speak to us about how our application of the latest laser scanning methods could impact your mining or quarrying project, please contact us today.
