New Maptek laser scanners boost underground survey

Underground mine operators can improve site safety and survey productivity with recent releases from Maptek.

The updated I-Site 8200 laser scanners feature new tools and compatibility with Maptek Sentry surface tracking and Drive continuous survey systems.

The I-Site 8200SR is a fast and accurate solution for cavity surveys. A carbon fibre boom extends up to 10 metres into a tunnel or over a void. The 500-metre range scanner can also be used for surface applications such as stockpile, shed and silo scanning.

The I-Site 8200ER has a longer range at 750 metres and provides the best outcomes for mapping underground drives and tunnels as well as surface stockpiles.

A new backsight workflow allows survey resection by triangulating three coordinated targets to find the current real world position of the scanner.

Maptek Managing Director and chief executive of global operations Peter Johnson said making Sentry compatible with the latest I-Site laser scanners means more mining operations can benefit from the system.

‘Sentry combines laser scan data with sophisticated software to track and analyse surface movement over time. Any movement can potentially lead to failures, so early warning is vital.’

‘Researching ways that Sentry could function in low light led to development of an intensity-based grayscale image,’ Johnson said.

‘This benefits our underground customers as well as improving visibility for open pit applications at night.’

‘A great feature of Sentry is it provides absolute tracking. You can take the scanner away to perform another task and return it to the Sentry setup without having to start measuring from scratch,’ he said.

The Sentry update includes a rollback feature for easier data analysis, as well as translation and other enhancements.

The I-Site 8200 series laser scanners are also compatible with I-Site Drivefor continuously surveying from a moving vehicle.

Johnson said I-Site scanners helped with site safety through Sentry as well as providing conformance reporting using I-Site Studio, Drive and PerfectDig. Laser scanning provides a flexible solution for general survey and volumetric tasks, and the point cloud data can be used in geological face mapping and geotechnical analysis.

The I-Site 8200SR and I-Site 8200ER are available now.

About Maptek
Founded more than 30 years ago, Maptek™ is a leading provider of innovative software, hardware and services for global mining. Maptek solutions are used at more than 1700 sites in 75 countries, with applications across the mining cycle. Maptek develops industry-leading software Vulcan™, Eureka™, Evolution and BlastLogic™ for mine evaluation, planning, design, scheduling, operation and rehabilitation. I-Site™ is integrated hardware and software for 3D laser scanning, surveying and imaging. The spatial data collected can be used for geotechnical analysis, stockpile measurement, design conformance and movement tracking supported by software systems I-Site Studio, Drive, PerfectDig™ and Sentry.

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Maptek takes a big picture approach to blast management

Maptek will take BlastLogic, mining’s most advanced blast design and management system, to FragBlast 11 in Sydney this month.

BlastLogicenables mines to pre-empt risk and productivity issues before they emerge through instantaneous sharing and visualisation of operational data.

Maptek Blast Accuracy Solutions Manager Mark Roberts says the company is delighted to sponsor the global forum for scientific and technical updates on rock blasting and explosives engineering.

‘ FragBlast is a terrific way for us to connect to the people who use our products,’ Mark says.

‘We’ve developed BlastLogic in collaboration with industry and it is relied on to track, quickly understand and act on all factors impacting drill and blast at critical stages.

‘BlastLogic accelerates the process of creating and implementing accurate blast designs. At the same time it provides measurements and reports on blast execution accuracy.’

Roberts says this is achieved through real-time data integration, reporting and 3D visualisation which can be viewed by users throughout the blast design and execution process.

‘Linking blast designs directly with the geological model and field measurement allows mines to enhance precision in blasting and understand how this impacts downstream processes,’ he says.

‘For example, if you’re looking to optimise fragmentation to improve dig rates and crusher throughput BlastLogic can quickly relate fragmentation results back to blast and geology parameters. The BlastLogic frag modelling tool helps engineers advance future designs and better inform operations of expected post-blast ground conditions.’

Roberts says Maptek is aware mines are increasingly approaching drill and blast with a big-picture perspective of the entire mining process.

‘Customers are integrating drill and blast design with our Vulcan grade control and Eureka drill-hole geophysical interpretation tools in order to validate the resource model and increase the recovery of minerals.

‘Maptek I-Site 3D laser scanning systems are being used to track the accurate extraction of resources and maximise mine safety through remote survey and precision geotechnical analysis.’

Maptek will exhibit at booths 17 and 18 of 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting at Sydney’s Sheraton on the Park from August 24 to 26.

About Maptek
Founded more than 30 years ago, Maptek™ is a leading provider of innovative software, hardware and services for global mining. Maptek solutions are used at more than 1700 sites in 75 countries, with applications across the mining cycle. Maptek develops industry-leading software Vulcan™, Eureka™, Evolution and BlastLogic™ for mine evaluation, planning, design, scheduling, operation and rehabilitation. I-Site™ is integrated hardware and software for 3D laser scanning, surveying and imaging. The spatial data collected can be used for geotechnical analysis, stockpile measurement, design conformance and movement tracking supported by software systems.
I-Site Studio, Drive, PerfectDig™ and Sentry.


Contact:
Jane Ball
T +61 8 8338 9222
jane.ball@maptek.com
www.maptek.com

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Advanced Maptek spatial data systems target mine survey productivity

Maptek technology provides the solutions surveyors need to maximise efficiency by enabling fast and accurate data capture and analysis.

Maptek launched 3D point cloud modelling software in 2000 in response to market need for powerful processing, modelling and analysis of spatial data. Since that time, constant development of software and hardware has targeted improvements in survey productivity and the overall mine planning process. This is evidenced by inbuilt mining workflows, simple data management, smart filtering and advanced geotechnical analysis tools, and visual reporting formats.

The company will showcase the latest I-Site laser scanner hardware and systems at this week’s Australian Institute of Mine Surveyors (AIMS) 2015 National Conference in Perth.

In the past 12 months Maptek has released I-Site Drive which enables continuous laser scan data acquisition from a moving vehicle. Survey, geology or geotech staff can simply drive around the operation to collect accurate data from stockpiles, haul roads and highwalls in a single pass.

Maptek has also updated spatial data analysis systems I-Site Studio,PerfectDig and Sentry with the latest sensing and visualisation technologies to continue to meet the needs of its customers.

This is the third successive year Maptek has been a gold sponsor of AIMS, a conference which offers professional development and networking for mine surveyors, remote sensing and photogrammetry practitioners.

Maptek Managing Director and chief executive of global operations Peter Johnson attended AIMS when he was Global Product Manager for I-Site laser imaging systems around 10 years ago.

He says it remains one of the most important professional events for mine surveyors in Australia to network, learn and advance their skills.

‘The mining industry benefits directly from this collaboration and Maptek is very happy to continue to support the event,’ Peter says.

‘AIMS is a great opportunity for Maptek to connect with our users, to share technical insights and applications and to understand the demands surveyors are facing in their work.

‘It is always a quality event and I am sure 2015 will be just as successful.’

Maptek laser scanning consultant Ben Connelly will use a case study of preventing rockfalls on a Middle East highway to demonstrate how I-Site technology adds value to geological and geotechnical studies. Defining the geology and stability of the cliff face quickly and safely, paved the way for a road construction company to plan a safe expansion project.

Maptek will be stationed at booth 2 of the conference at the Pan Pacific Perth hotel until August 14.

About Maptek
Founded more than 30 years ago, Maptek™ is a leading provider of innovative software, hardware and services for global mining. Maptek solutions are used at more than 1700 sites in 75 countries, with applications across the mining cycle. Maptek develops industry-leading software Vulcan™, Eureka™, Evolution and BlastLogic™ for mine evaluation, planning, design, scheduling, operation and rehabilitation. I-Site™ is integrated hardware and software for 3D laser scanning, surveying and imaging. The spatial data collected can be used for geotechnical analysis, stockpile measurement, design conformance and movement tracking supported by software systems I-Site Studio, Drive, PerfectDig™ and Sentry.

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