TECHNOLOGY •
The system provides:
• Guide misalignment detection: Sensors detect misalignments with 5mm accuracy.
• Shaft diameter deviations: Rolled-out heat maps show constriction or convergence in the shaft barrel.
• 360-degree visualisation: A complete digital twin of the shaft that can be inspected in Virtual Reality( VR) or on a desktop, allowing for remote " site visits " by engineering teams.
The partnership The company, based in Canada, brings the research and development( R & D) capabilities and the hardware. The mining company brings the " last mile " deployment capability. Dwyka has carved out a niche in the African market as a " deep tech " integrator, a company that doesn ' t just resell boxes but integrates them into the complex workflows of African mines.
The mining company’ s role involves the distribution, training and technical support of the scanner units across Africa. They are also instrumental in the feedback loop, feeding African-specific requirements back to the Canadian engineering team. This has already resulted in improvements to the scanner, such as upgraded battery units compliant with aeroplane carry-on requirements and new safety clamps for easier installation.
Impact on African operations For the South African mining industry, specifically, this technology comes at a crucial juncture. The sector is under immense pressure to improve safety statistics while simultaneously reducing costs per tonne.
Deep-level gold and platinum mines face unique geotechnical challenges. Seismicity and ground movement can deform shafts over time, leading to " tight spots " that can jam conveyances. The ability of this product to provide weekly, millimetre-accurate heatmaps of shaft deformation transforms maintenance from a guessing game into an exact science.
Furthermore, the " Stop-and-Go " feature currently in development will allow the scanner to be used alongside conventional manual inspections, offering a hybrid approach during the transition period. This flexibility is key for older operations where legacy systems and modern tech must coexist.
Standard for vertical infrastructure The deployment of the Lazaruss scanner by Dwyka Mining Services marks a shift in how African mines view their vertical infrastructure. The shaft is no longer a dark, unknowable liability, but a digitised asset that can be managed with the same precision as a processing plant.
By combining Canadian innovation with African mining resilience, this partnership is doing more than just saving time; it is saving lives and securing the future of deep-level mining in a digital age. As the industry moves toward Mining 4.0, it is technologies like these – autonomous, data-rich and safety-focused – that will define the standard operating procedures of the future. •
Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp is an independent consultant, specialising in geological, geotechnical and geometallurgical projects and mining project management. He has over two decades of industry experience with global exposure. ncs. contract @ gmail. com
The scanner is not merely a camera; it is a ruggedised, autonomous data acquisition unit designed specifically for the conditions of a mine shaft.
Supplied by Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp www. africanmining. co. za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • March 2026 • 19