Mining software, hardware and services provider Maptek updated its I-Site 8200 three-dimensional laser scanning technology in August.

The technology allows for fast and accurate data capturing and analysis in exploration projects, says Maptek I-Site Africa regional manager Elton du Plessis.

Since the launch of I-Site 8200 in 2013, research and development (R&D) has continued at Maptek’s development and manufacturing facility, in Australia, with enhancements rolled out periodically to enable users to take advantage of the latest functionality.

“The goal of the latest upgrades, resulting in the I-Site 8200SR and the I-Site 8200ER, was to take advantage of the technologies released in the top-end I-Site 8820,” explains Du Plessis.

He notes that the I-Site 8200SR is a fast and accurate solution for cavity surveys, with a carbon-fibre boom that extends 8 m into tunnels or over voids to survey locations that are difficult to access. It also has a scanner with a range of 500 m that can be used for surface applications such as stockpile, shed and silo scanning.

With a range of 750 m, the I-Site 8200ER provides good outcomes when mapping underground drives and tunnels, as well as surface stockpiles, says Du Plessis.

He adds that the benefits of the upgrade include compatibility with the value-adding I-Site Drive and Sentry Maptek applications.

The I-Site Drive enables exploration teams to conduct surveys from a moving vehicle without interrupting production. Data can be gathered from ramps, highwalls and pit surfaces while driving to and from stockpile pickups.

Sentry is a laser-based monitoring technology that can be used to track and analyse trends in surface movements to monitor for movements that could interrupt mining and compromise site safety.

“Any movement can potentially lead to failures, so early warning is vital,” explains Du Plessis.

Client Feedback
Du Plessis says Maptek’s clients appreciate the built-in workflows and ease of reporting of the I-Site technology, adding that clients appreciate that not too much time is spent on exporting data and formatting reports, which allows for more time to analyse and prepare subsequent mine planning cycles.

Clients say another major benefit is that they can use the I-Site laser scanner 24/7, says Du Plessis. “Once survey tasks have been completed for the day, the system can be mounted to a stationary bollard to track movement at night using the Sentry application.”

He adds that Maptek I-Site laser scanners are developed to quality ISO 9001 standards and can, therefore, handle 24-hour operation periods without the accuracy of the data collected being affected.

“When we demonstrate our solutions, when we deliver the systems to site and when we conduct training and support, we are always keen to hear about the ways in which our customers are using our technology,” says Du Plessis.

The company uses this feedback to stimulate new ideas regarding the design of mining tools that use the latest technology, he adds.

Du Plessis says Maptek is interested in understanding site practices and workflows at each operation for not only survey activities but also upstream and downstream processes.

“This intelligence leads to insights across the mining life cycle, which can be leveraged during the product R&D phase.”