MINING SOFTWARE
RIEGL says its VZ-i Series of 3D terrestrial laser scanners are ready to meet the demanding challenges of remote mining operations , with three new easy-to-use and intuitive apps supporting scanner users in their daily workflow , especially in critical situations .
The company ’ s 3D terrestrial laser scanners can be smoothly integrated into any network infrastructure by using LAN , Wi-Fi and LTE interfaces , the company claims . This capability enables fully remote operation of the scanners .
With the installation of these customised apps for automatic data acquisition and data processing , the user gets automatic real-time results without any required user interaction .
The Slope Angle App , Design Compare App and Monitoring App ensure operators receive the data acquired by the respective scanners immediately “ as well as relevant , reliable and accurate deliverables to make prompt and appropriate decisions ”, Thomas Gaisecker , RIEGL Manager Mining Business Division , says .
RIEGL Slope Angle App
Using this app , slope angles are calculated automatically from scan data . Critical slope angles can be highlighted and sent to the relevant user , eg the operator of loaders . The real-time information helps them keep the slope angles of stockpiles and dump areas within defined limits .
Users receive the information on a web browser on every device , which is connected to the mine network . No software installation or processing of the data is necessary , and everything is processed automatically within the app on the scanner .
RIEGL Monitoring App
With this app , change detection can be calculated to a given reference scan . This allows detection of movements of , for example , highwalls long before it is visible to the human eye . The interpretation of movements through a time series of scans allows the prediction of a possible slope failure .
“ This information can truly save lives , ensuring personnel have enough time
The RIEGL Monitoring App allows the detection of movement trends by sliding through the timeline of acquired scan data
to evacuate staff and remove machinery from endangered areas ,” RIEGL says .
RIEGL Design Compare App
Overcut and undercut calculations can be made on this app based on a given design model . “ While undercut indicates a waste of money , overcut can involve potential safety risks ,” RIEGL says . With the use of this app , the operation of heavy equipment such as excavators can be optimised to streamline the mining process .
In addition to these new apps ( more information in the video here : https :// youtu . be / Ro88VzsOxUo ), RIEGL has further optimised its RiSCAN PRO and RiMINING software packages .
RiSCAN PRO is the companion software for RIEGL Terrestrial 3D Laser Scanner Systems . It is project orientated , with the entire data acquired during a measurement campaign organised and stored in RiSCAN PRO ’ s project structure . RiMINING , meanwhile , is designed to optimise and simplify scan data processing in open-pit mining . The focus of the software design is on workflow simplification and automation .
LIS Geotec Tool
The new LIS GeoTec Plugin enables geotechnical analysis of scan data by providing statistical tools within an easy-to-use graphical interface , the company says . Besides the calculation of dip direction and dip angle of rock faces , it allows for the analysis of discontinuities by creating pole plots and colourising the scan data by clusters of similar orientation . This gives specialists a better understanding of stability , joints and faults on the analysed rockfaces , according to RIEGL .
“ We are ready for the mine of the future ,” Gaisecker says . “ And what particularly distinguishes our hardware and firmware architecture is that it is open for developers . Using the provided RIEGL documentation , every software company assets . Implementation of Commit Works frontline commitment system should be considered ahead of but also in support of other automation initiatives to reduce variability and improve performance on site .”
Software facilitators
Despite Moynagh ’ s assertion , the time for automation
appears to be now for at least the major miners in the industry .
In terms of automation adoption , the sector is in the fast-follower stage , with eyes on widespread acceptance in the next 10-15 years .
There are plenty in the mining software industry helping to facilitate this transition , with Beesley arguing RPMGlobal is one such company .
International Mining | FEBRUARY 2021