Mine to Market November-December 2012 - Mount Isa Mines

ZOPs introduce revolutionary
survey scanner to site
The Zinc Open Pits (ZOPs) Technical Services department has introduced a revolutionary GPS
mobile scanning device, reducing what was previously a month-long job to just a few hours.
The ZOPs survey crew is responsible
for surveying the footprints of
both the Black Star Open Cut and
Handlebar Hill Open Cut pits and
creating survey models that drive our
critical mining decisions. A key part of their
work includes identifying the best areas for
safe and efficient excavation.
Paul Hunter, Mine Surveyor ZOPs, says
the mobile scanner is a dream come true.
“Previously, the team would physically
walk over the stockpiles and around the
pit with a GPS rover unit to collect this
data, taking up to a month to collect the
information,” Paul says.
The MDL Dynascan is a portable
mobile mapping and geographic data
collection device. It scans surrounding
terrain to achieve real time positioning
using two GPS receivers. Capable of
reading 36,000 points of data in one
minute, the mobile scanner uses multiple
points up to 500 metres away to provide
an accurate ‘slice’ of the pit environment
at 200 millimetres spacing.
The data collected is then used to
create 3D models, proving a sharp and
accurate visual representation of pit
production, stockpiles and engineering
works on site.
The device’s light and portable design
has allowed us to fit it to one of our light
vehicles using a purpose-built mount
designed in-house. By having the scanner
on a vehicle, we can survey areas where
there is limited or difficult access and on
top of stockpiles with the convenience
and added safety benefits of not having
to leave the car.
Paul Hunter, Mine Surveyor, about sets
out with the MDL Dynascan
“By introducing the mobile
scanner, we have eliminated a
tedious and extremely labour
intensive task, allowing for much
safer, productive and efficient
operation.”
6 mine to market