SLOPE STABILITY & MONITORING

applications, RIEGL scanners can be deployed across a wide spectrum of use cases- ranging from conventional 3D surveys to mobile mapping and fully automated long-term monitoring. This multifunctional capability allows mining companies to derive maximum value from a single piece of equipment while maintaining high data quality and safety standards.

In their most traditional use, RIEGL scanners serve as static survey instruments for acquiring high-resolution 3D data of terrain, infrastructure, stockpiles, and other mining features. These scans are typically carried out from fixed tripod positions and deliver precise, georeferenced point clouds with sub-centimetre accuracy.

RIEGL’ s full waveform LiDAR ensures that even under harsh conditions- such as dust, fog, or poor visibility- accurate range measurements are obtained. Penetration of vegetation and clutter allows reliable detection of ground surfaces, which is particularly useful in areas with safety netting, vegetation encroachment, or partially obscured rock faces.

Mounting the RIEGL scanner on a pickup truck or utility vehicle enables mobile laser scanning across extensive mining areas. This kinematic setup transforms the static TLS unit into a high-speed mapping platform, capable of capturing large datasets while the

vehicle is in motion.

Key benefits include rapid data acquisition over haul roads, pit benches, or tailings dams; reduced personnel exposure: Surveyors remain safely inside the vehicle; increased efficiency as there is no need to set up tripods or enter hazardous areas; and flexible use as it is deal for daily documentation or change detection in active zones

Scans collected in kinematic mode can be seamlessly processed using RIEGL’ s software suite, incorporating trajectory data from integrated GNSS / IMU systems for georeferencing. This mode is especially valuable in large, fast-changing mine environments where time and safety are critical concerns.

For high-risk areas such as steep pit walls, tailings dams, or unstable slopes, the RIEGL scanner can be installed in a permanent monitoring setup. In this configuration, the scanner operates 24 / 7 from a fixed location, continuously acquiring data at scheduled intervals.

A unique advantage of the permanent setup is the use of custom apps, such as the Monitor + App, which allows the scanner to switch between continuous monitoring and other survey tasks. Should the scanner need to be removed temporarily( eg for a special survey), the app supports automatic

re-alignment upon reinstallation, ensuring continuity in the monitoring data series.

Gaisecker says this makes RIEGL systems particularly attractive for sites that require both long-term structural stability assessment and ad-hoc data acquisition- without investing in multiple systems or duplicating effort.

IDS GeoRadar, a complete monitoring portfolio

IDS GeoRadar, part of Hexagon, offers a comprehensive portfolio for slope stability monitoring; its next generation radars, 24 / 7 monitoring services and innovative software portfolio solutions enable a broad spectrum of applications- from slope stability monitoring, rockfall hazard mitigation, tailing dams monitoring, waste dumps, and excavations, to structural monitoring of plants and other infrastructure around the mines.

One of the critical topics in the field of engineering geotechnics is the identification of displacement trends that can lead to the collapse of a structure; this is a key topic for Rio Tinto mine personnel as it is a necessary preventive action to ensure the safety and productivity of mining operations. Rio Tinto, an historic open pit copper mine in the Huelva region- Spain, realised a public-private collaboration between the

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LinkOA Open Autonomy

LinkOA enables mining operations to move more material, reduce downtime, and increase equipment utilization,— all while enhancing safety and control. As an OEM-agnostic automation platform for open-pit mining, it supports autonomous haulage across mixed fleets, regardless of make or model. By retrofitting existing equipment and integrating new machines into a unified system, LinkOA helps maximize uptime, productivity, and operational flexibility. It allows fleets to operate faster, scale smarter, and maintain a competitive edge.