3D Laser Mapping to monitor diamond mine

13 August 2007, 12:13pm

3D Laser Mapping helps monitor De Beers diamond mine

Nottingham, UK, 13 August 2007 - De Beers is utilising the latest laser
mapping technology from 3D Laser Mapping to improve safety at the world famous
Kimberley diamond mine in South Africa. The state of the art ‘SiteMonitor’
laser scanning system is designed to capture highly accurate slope measurements
and will help identify potential failures within the pit wall. De Beers
will also use the system to measure the volume of waste dumps and stockpiles
around the mine.

The De Beers Kimberley mine known as the ‘Big Hole’ is the largest man-made
excavation in the world, yielding 14.5 million carats (2,722 kg) of diamonds
while in operation. It is located next to the N12 Johannesburg to Cape Town
freeway and is a major tourist attraction for the region.

The 3D Laser Mapping SiteMonitor system, including a high performance Riegl
LMS-Z420i laser scanner, will be used by De Beers to capture highly accurate
measurements of the Dolerites and Shales that make up the upper portions of
the pit walls. By continuously capturing and analysing slope measurements the
SiteMonitor system helps surveyors to identify areas of movement and
therefore potential failure of the walls which are critical to the stability of the
N12 freeway and the shops and businesses around the pit.

The laser scanning system will also be used for other tasks around the mine,
maximising the return on investment in the equipment. Previously the large
and complex waste dumps and stockpiles around the mine were measured using
airborne laser scanning. The expense and long lead-time for such surveys meant
that they could only be carried out periodically and interim surveys were
carried out using a low-end vehicle mounted GPS rover system. By using the Riegl
laser scanner the surveyors can perform fast, highly accurate volume
measurements with zero lead-time and at a much lower cost whilst reducing vehicle
wear and tear and improving the safety of personnel.

"The high performance of the laser scanner ensures we get good measurements
of both the Dolerites and underlying Shales that make up the pit walls and
the integrated digital camera provides a visual record of the behaviour of the
rock to help us understand and interpret the laser data," said Colin Crowie,
Surveyor – Dormant Mines. “In addition SiteMonitor is easy to learn and
simple to operate, great for a busy survey department like ours.”

SiteMonitor is a unique suite of software developed to meet the demand for
accurate and repeatable measurements of surfaces and slopes in hazardous or
inhospitable environments. When used in conjunction with the Riegl LMS Z420i,
SiteMonitor can obtain measurements accurate to 5mm with a distance range of
up to 1,000m. Recording and analysing up to 8,000 measurements per second
SiteMonitor creates a detailed, accurate and continuous record of the slope
profile.

www.3dlasermapping.com

GeoConnexion UK