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Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
On-line version ISSN 2411-9717
Print version ISSN 2225-6253
Abstract
VAN DER MERWE, J.W and ANDERSEN, D.C. Applications and benefits of 3D laser scanning for the mining industry. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2013, vol.113, n.3, pp.00-00. ISSN 2411-9717.
Technology is advancing at a rate that makes it extremely difficult for the mining industry to keep pace. Many advances occur within a given piece of technology and often this is missed by the disciplines that could have gained advantage by its implementation. Often this may have been simply an aspect of cost exceeding benefit. However, there are some technologies that potentially have such a far-reaching impact on the mining industry that the benefits simply outweigh the cost. The application of 3D laser scanning in the mining industry has the potential of taking the concept of 'Google mapsTM' underground. This presents an opportunity where the virtual world of underground can be traversed with relative ease and many aspects of measurements could be obtained without having to visit the working place again, potentially saving countless man-hours and still delivering precision work with significant savings in downtime, stoppages, and exposure to safety incidents. Anglo American Platinum maintains its competitive advantage though the review and application of appropriate technology. This paper describes the 3D laser scanning trial at one of Anglo American Platinum's new shafts, and goes on to show the benefits encountered through the application and the involvement of the various MRM disciplines.
Keywords : 3D - Three Dimensional; GPS - Global Positioning System; CAD -Computer Aided Design; CFD - Computational Fluid Dynamics.