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LiDAR no longer a technological novelty
Shelley Accatino • Jul 17, 2024
Underground safety, productivity and profitability
LiDAR is no longer a technological novelty but a transformative tool that is reshaping the landscape of underground mining. By providing accurate, real-time data and enabling automation, LiDAR enhances the safety and efficiency of mining operations, paving the way for a more sustainable and productive future. Rio Tinto, Barrick and BHP have all published information on how Lidar has had direct benefits to their operations but you don’t need to be a multinational to enjoy the same benefits which include:
Real-Time Mapping and Monitoring
LiDAR systems can continuously scan the mine’s interior, creating real-time maps that highlight structural weaknesses, detect changes, and monitor potential hazards. By providing detailed and continuous updates, LiDAR helps mining engineers make informed decisions, plan safe excavation routes, and preemptively address any structural concerns.
Improved Navigation and Automation
Navigating the labyrinthine tunnels of an underground mine is a daunting task. Traditional methods relying on manual mapping are time-consuming and prone to error. LiDAR simplifies this process by generating accurate 3D maps that can be integrated with autonomous vehicle systems. This synergy enables automated drilling and hauling equipment to operate with precision, reducing the need for human presence in dangerous areas and thus minimizing the risk of accidents.
Streamlined Infrastructure Development
Constructing underground infrastructure such as tunnels, shafts, and ventilation systems is a complex task. LiDAR technology aids in this process by providing accurate measurements and models of the mine’s interior. This data facilitates the design and construction of infrastructure, ensuring that it is optimally placed and captured to support mine modelling and management.
Enhancing Safety and Operational Efficiency
One of the most critical challenges in underground mining is ensuring the safety of miners. The subterranean environment is fraught with hazards such as rock falls, gas leaks, and structural failures. LiDAR technology plays a pivotal role in mitigating these risks which is enhanced when deploying mobile Lidar and SLAM based technologies that extend the coverage in reduced time to capture.
By providing accurate, real-time data on underground conditions, Digital Terrain LiDAR services help optimise mining operations, reduce downtime, and minimize costly accidents or delays. The ability to remotely capture and inspect inaccessible areas also eliminates guesswork or the need for attempting manual surveys or physical inspections, saving time, resources, and manpower.
Digital Terrain
Digital Terrain have solutions that replace or augment existing capabilities for capturing, processing, analysis and reporting. We also offer onsite instruction and training where customers seek to build their own expertise.
Enjoy the sample video of our capabilities and contact David Juany for any comments, questions, or service information.
david.Jaunay@digitalterrain.io or +61434317580
Digital Terrain Founder and CEO Andrew Rouse and Roobuck Director and General Manager Henry Gong are excited to announce they have signed a collaborative partnership which will allow for direct device level technology integration, not just in the cloud. Digital Terrain is now a reseller for Roobuck technology and hardware and aims to incorporate this into their Simbio stack of Products to add further value to their client base through a number of collaborative initiatives. The first point of integration is with their Simbio tablets and the Roobuck Smart Cordless cap lamp. Founder and CEO Andrew Rouse comments “As the technology available continues to improve and change, it is important that we collaborate with like-minded companies to improve our speed of delivery and focus on value for our customers. This is achieved with trust and a great relationship between companies so that our teams can come together openly and honestly to deliver real value. Integrating on a device-to-device level enables our end users to receive timely information when it matters, not at the end of the shift, or never at all enabling true change and improvement. We are excited to collaborate with Roobuck on this journey” The Roobuck Cordless Cap lamp comes equipped with Wi-Fi/BLE/RFID/NFC and an inbuilt IMU. Their latest model is also Intrinsically safe, meaning the technology can be used in underground coal mines. The Simbio solution is already in use in underground coal in addition to their larger presence in underground hardrock. Device level integration is unique and enables key personnel to understand and make decisions when it matters Both companies are enabling the devices to communicate with each other. A simple use case is when the Simbio device receives a message and depending on its urgency highlighted, proceeds to flash the cap lamp, alerting the operator there is a message. The flashes range from rapid ones to highlight an immediate response to a casual few flashes to say there is something there to look at when time becomes available. This enables yet another touch point to the workforce to ensure their safety is paramount. They also have the ability to assist in confirming locations of personnel. For example we can improve the confidence that a person is in a particular area if a number of devices are enabled and assigned to them. Unforeseen events to an operator wearing the cap lamp, which can be identified via a button triggered duress call or automatically recorded via IMU movement detection, could send a message to the tablet to alert others of someone needing to come and check on their welfare. “We are looking forward to working with the Digital Terrain teams to identify use cases whereby having both devices communicating can improve safety, reduce downtime or increase productivity” mentions Dane Zielinski-Nicolson, CTO for Roobuck. About Roobuck Roobuck is a leading provider of Mine IoT Solutions and Devices, Cap Lamps, Safety Lights, and other Explosion-proof Products. Its products are recognised throughout the industry as a cost-effective, high-quality solution which can be adapted to any site specific requirement. For more information visit: https://www.roobuck.com.au/ About Digital Terrain Digital Terrain is a Mining focussed technology business who can rapidly deploy their solution to realise immediate benefits to the workforce and improve timeliness of data. They provide the Simbio Suite of products including Magman explosives management and a number of OT devices. We are proudly the first in the world in 2016 to implement a large scale handheld device solution underground, working offline or on-line across multiple locations and continue to improve it every day. We track all mining processes, not some, making it a universal system for your operation.\ The unique selling point is our system came from mining, real world, multi-site and change management processes. The back-end data model of Simbio is over 15 years mature, eliminating teams of people to establish and configure a new system. Our solutions are offered not just as a blank database, it is a system already setup and ready to configure, we can go paperless from day one! Contact Shaun Brennan for any questions, or service information. Shaun.Brennan@digitalterrain.io
