Mining Surveying is an interesting as well as an exciting arena to explore. Is your interest lies in knowing what exactly happens during mine surveying? How is a particular mine like a coal mine or gold mine surveyed? What is the need to study a mine?
Flooded with so many questions on mine surveying? Here is a brief tour of Mine Surveying as well as latest technologies used to perform mine surveying.
Let’s get started…
Mine Surveying Introduction
Mine Surveying is an expert area of surveying that involves the measurement, representation, and management of data associated with various mining operations. The mine surveyors are responsible for marking out, measuring and maintaining directions of entire surface as well as underground workings on a mine site.
Geospatial data forms the cornerstone of mining. The fast-paced evolution, as well as innovations in the Geomatics industry, are bringing up the unexpected opportunities that help to provide a significant boost both to the mining surveyors as the mining industry as a whole.
The below article presents a general outline of surveying in the mining industry and the technologies use today for surveying in mines.
Present Scenario of Mine Surveying
Mining surveying can be termed as “the digging of mine shafts and the galleries and the calculations of the volume of the rock” although it implicates much more than this. The vertical shafts and the narrow passages demand particular survey techniques, whereas the fundamental principles of surveying may have remained same. The pervasive mine surveying technologies used today include Terrestrial Laser scanning, airborne laser scanning, unmanned aerial vehicles, and satellite imagery.
Let’s take a brief look at all the technologies used in mine surveying.
Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Mining surveying both in open-pit as well as underground mines goes hand-in-hand with terrestrial laser scanning. Its implementation verifies the spatial changes of mining works. Terrestrial laser scanning is the most suitable surveying method for monitoring movements and deformations.
Terrestrial laser scanning surveying has a potential to be used for a wide range of applications. It includes:
- Monitoring and documentation of the underground mining,
- Progress, workers health as well as safety at mining sites,
- Volumetric calculations,
- Providing supplementary evidence in case of any mishaps,
- Helping the security and protection of mining sites, etc.
Thus, laser scanning in mining industry boasts a significant growth in the market.
Airborne Laser Scanning
Another unique method of mining surveying is Airborne Laser Scanning, also known as “Airborne LiDAR.” The technology utilizes high-end manned or unmanned airborne platforms making possible to obtain data in challenging circumstances. Airborne Laser Scanning offers incredible opportunities for the mining sector. Because of its capability of getting millions of points per square kilometer, airborne laser scanning is the most popular technology in use for mine surveying.
Aerial Photogrammetry
Over the past few years, aerial surveying has changed the face of mining surveying and has revolutionized the traditional working systems. The application of aerial photogrammetry is a proven method of pit mapping and stockpile volume measurements, with a focus on 3D modeling and monitoring.
The spatial data collected using this technology is used to create digital terrain model. Nowadays, aerial photogrammetry gets blend with LiDAR technology and is increasingly obtained using UAVs.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Visualizing the latest trends in the Geo-spatial technology over past few years, many companies are now using UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for mining surveys.
The UAVs are furnished with digital cameras to provide high-resolution aerial imagery. The further processing of images delivers high-quality point cloud data and 3D models. The data can be used for predictions, monitoring of mines and calculating volumetric changes. UAVs also play a significant role in improving the safety of underground workers by predicting the above-ground situations.
The disruptive modern technology in this broader Geospatial industry brings benefits for mining sector too is the blend of UAV and LiDAR.
Satellite Imagery
It is one of the touted technologies useful in mining surveying. A lot of valuable information for the mining industry is received from space. The satellite Imagery is an essential tool in support of mineral exploration projects. It also provides useful insights for mining industries. Due to its global coverage, a satellite obtained imagery is a safe and cost-efficient method for getting information even in remote areas.
The Upcoming era of Mine Surveying
With the advent of new surveying technologies, there seems completeness in mine surveying. What else you need, when there are so many solutions that are making mine surveying relatively easy?
Well, an exciting technology deserves mention here which is all set to make mine surveying more productive and innovative: Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). In fact, the global mining industries are indeed the early adopters of these innovative technologies.
To conclude, do the technologies mentioned above are helpful as well as useful in mine surveying? What are your views?
Let us know in the comment section below.
Source: https://blog.nibt.education/2018/04/mine-surveying/
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