Spotlight Feature Articles Ansul Modern Open Pits February 16 | Page 10
MODERN OPEN PITS_proof 21/10/2015 10:07 Page 9
MODERN OPEN PITS
process helps each operator work more
productively, contributing more to your whole
operation. The mine runs at a higher rate of
production, generating more value per shift,
every shift. At the same time, our services reduce
the number of operating and maintenance
delays, increasing uptime. Typically, we can raise
total mine output by 5% to 15% - a make-orbreak difference in a stiff mining climate.”
Maptek solutions target modern
miners
Mining operations have worked well with
technical data collected throughout their
processes for some time now - but in recent years
the focus has been on making the most of it to
add value to the business and as such the
application of engineering knowledge,
technology and data analysis techniques in the
mining industry has grown immensely. Long term
business goals require immense capital
investment, smart resource allocation and a high
level of confidence in the safety, quality and
efficiency of processes. Measuring and analysing
data collected from processes, and tracking the
downstream impact can provide modern miners
with a means of accurately executing processes
to maintain economic viability.
Maptek considers that accurate data at each
stage is key to the successful implementation of
a mine plan. “Knowing how to respond to change
Developed in association with industry, Sentry
helps sites monitor and report on movements
caused by surface instability
relies on timely analysis of the data. With data
now collected at an impressive rate across the
mining value chain, surveyors, geologists and
engineers are continually challenged to use that
data to meet productivity targets and
performance KPIs. Maptek has exploited the high
tech sensing capabilities of its I-Site laser
imaging systems to develop value-adding
solutions to several core business processes.
Deploying laser scanning hardware for survey,
surface tracking and design conformance allows
operations to optimise their investment,” states
Maptek CEO and Managing Director, Peter
Johnson.
Operations owning Sentry can use the laser
scanner for survey tasks across the site,
including daily pit pickups, face mapping and
stockpile measurements. When not in active use,
the scanner can be mounted on bollards to track
surface movement. The hardware can effectively
run 24/7 at no extra cost to the operation. The
system operates at night and in low light under
demanding conditions. The laser scan data is
stored in a reduced format for quick analysis of
multiple scenes. Notification thresholds can be
set to ensure closer monitoring of areas deemed
at risk to pit personnel and machinery. All
important detail is preserved in the original high
resolution I-Site point cloud data, which can be
brought into I-Site Studio for geotechnical
analysis. The single collection instrument
provides a spatial data solution for surveying and
geotechnical engineering.
Hillgrove Resources’ Kanmantoo mine
southeast of Adelaide in South Australia has
successfully trialled Sentry from the prototype
phase. Baseline data was built from weekly scans
taken from a permanent bollard about 200 m
from a wall of concern in a new open pit. Sentry
data cor ɕ