Webinar: Surveying Through Weather Challenges

Anna, Business Development Manager at K-MINE, opens the webinar alongside Eugene, Mining Engineer at K-MINE, to discuss geospatial surveying in diverse weather conditions. Accurate surveying measurements are essential for resource optimization, directly influencing production efficiency and mine planning.

K-MINE is a mining software company with nearly 30 years of experience developing a modular, standalone application tailored to specific company needs. The platform includes 12 modules covering 3D modeling, resource estimation, and mine planning for companies in exploration, development, and production phases. All modules work independently or integrate seamlessly, eliminating data sharing and compatibility issues. K-MINE also provides consulting services including NI 43-101 and JORC compliant technical reporting by qualified and competent persons.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is highly effective for surveying mining operations in adverse weather. Key advantages include:

• Weather reliability - LiDAR penetrates through clouds, rain, and snow using laser beams rather than relying on visual line of sight, functioning when other surveying methods are hindered by precipitation or fog
• Speed and efficiency - collects large volumes of precise data quickly, critical when weather windows are unpredictable
• High accuracy and resolution - essential in mountainous landscapes where topography plays a crucial role in mine design
• Remote operation and automation - enhances safety for surveyors working in extreme climates
• Detailed digital terrain models - point cloud data supports deformation analysis, volume estimation, and other essential mining tasks
• Slope stability monitoring - used to oversee pit walls and bench edges, identifying potential hazards in advance

Radar (radio location) surveying uses radio waves for precise geodetic measurements and imaging of both underground and surface objects. This technology is especially valuable in adverse weather conditions. Key capabilities:

• Reliable and accurate measurements in inclement weather including rain and fog
• Penetration of certain light precipitations for consistent data collection
• Subsurface structure analysis including rock layers, voids, and fractures for mine planning and geotechnical stability monitoring
• Detailed 3D model generation of geological structures with change detection over time
• Volume and mineral location assessment for mine planning
• Open pit wall and slope stability evaluation with early warning of potential hazards
• Integration with GIS systems and mine planning software like K-MINE for comprehensive analysis

Infrared surveying uses radiation beyond the visible spectrum to monitor mining operations. Different materials interact with infrared radiation in unique ways, enabling analysis and monitoring of open pit conditions.

Core functions include:

• Thermal emission measurement - objects emit thermal infrared radiation proportional to their temperature, enabling detection of temperature changes in ground, rock, and equipment
• Spectral analysis - infrared cameras and spectrometers measure radiation intensity across various ranges, identifying materials by their distinctive emission spectra
• Thermal anomaly detection - continuous temperature monitoring within the pit flags equipment issues, underground heat sources, and potential safety hazards
• Surface deformation assessment - temperature or composition changes on pit surfaces can indicate shifts in rock masses or structural integrity changes
• Safety and environmental protection - early warnings of potential hazards through temperature change detection

Drones equipped with cameras, LiDAR, and thermal sensors provide aerial photography and precise terrain mapping. Combining these technologies gives mining companies accurate and reliable data even in adverse weather, improving project planning and on-site safety.

Data processing methods for drone surveys in challenging conditions:

• Data filtering - removes noise and artifacts from rain or snow using median filters, data smoothing, and noise removal techniques
• Geometry correction - addresses atmospheric distortions through corrections for scattering and refraction
• Multi-source data fusion - combines radar, LiDAR, and optical imaging for a more comprehensive and accurate picture
• Thermal and infrared imaging - operates independently of visibility, excelling at detecting thermal variations in low-visibility conditions
• Computer vision algorithms - automatic object recognition and image filtering to remove weather-related artifacts
• Specialized GIS software - automatic data correction and filtering based on weather conditions
• Time compensation - uses data collected at different times and adjusts it for more precise composite images

Volume estimation techniques are essential for assessing mineral reserves and formulating production plans.

Area extrapolation relies on measuring and analyzing sections within the deposit. It assumes geological characteristics remain consistent across sections. The area of known sections is measured, averaged, and extrapolated to unknown sections. The total volume is determined by multiplying the average area by deposit depth. This method is relatively simple and works well for deposits with consistent geometry.

Solid extrapolation is a more precise method considering three-dimensional geometric attributes including shape, size, and orientation. It creates 3D models from drilling or geological survey data. This method surpasses area extrapolation in accuracy and handles complex deposit structures effectively.

Surface comparison compares two or more surfaces of a deposit captured at various extraction stages. By examining these surfaces, changes in deposit volumes from mining activities become visible, enabling estimation of both extracted material and remaining reserves. This method is particularly effective for monitoring extraction processes and resource management.

Point cloud interpretation uses laser scanning and LiDAR technology to generate detailed 3D point clouds. Analysis of parameters including grade, height, and point density determines deposit volumes and characteristics. This method offers high accuracy and detailed evaluation of geological characteristics.

The K-MINE Surveying module is designed specifically for mine surveyors, addressing a wide range of operational needs:

• Textured surface processing - creates highly detailed 3D models of mining sites for in-depth geographical analysis and precise mineral extraction planning
• Multi-instrument data integration - imports data from various survey instruments into a centralized database, ensuring data integrity and timeliness for informed decision-making
• Road profiles and pit sections - designs transportation routes and pit cross-sections for precise determination of optimal drilling and blasting locations
• Volume analysis - robust calculation capabilities for accurate drilling and blasting decisions, resulting in cost savings and increased operational efficiency
• Transportation optimization - optimizes haul routes and coordinates pit movements to reduce material handling time
• Drone integration - seamlessly works with modern drones to enrich site analysis with aerial survey data

The integration of point cloud data with K-MINE's drill and blast module begins with extensive data collection through laser scanning, creating detailed 3D representations of the open pit.

Engineers leverage point cloud precision to design drilling and blasting plans, streamlining identification of optimal blast patterns and drilling locations. Technical advantages include minimized material waste, optimized fragmentation, cost savings, and improved safety through accurately positioned drill holes and controlled blasts.

Point cloud data also simplifies workflows - engineers conduct more effective pit topography analysis while surveyors monitor real-time blasting outcomes, enabling prompt adjustments.

K-MINE's surface comparison feature, located in the surveying module, provides precise month-by-month tracking of extracted rock mass volumes using high-resolution surfaces, point clouds, or frameworks with automated analysis. The feature calculates exact extraction volumes and identifies deviations from planned mining areas.

Users can tailor calculations to specific areas and adjust accuracy levels. An option to employ a block model in calculations enables determination of rock types and their masses with precision, enhancing economic efficiency and supporting environmental impact assessment.

The K-MINE grain size module automates identification of rock grain sizes from survey data. It simplifies downloading and calibrating source images, includes statistical processing for fragment analysis, and determines fragment size distribution by fractions with comprehensive reporting.

Calculation precision depends on optimally selected parameters including brightness, contrast, boundary minimum density, and shadow direction. The system displays preliminary rock piece boundaries on processed images and automatically recalculates when parameter values are adjusted, helping users find the optimal filter settings for the most accurate grain size analysis.

The K-MINE Infrastructure module maintains an electronic master plan for industrial, residential, or combined areas. It creates and integrates 3D electronic models encompassing buildings, facilities, transportation and energy lines, terrain features, hydrography, and topography.

Elements can be represented as 2D or 3D models with legends conforming to industry standards or user specifications. Modeling can be based on cartographic materials including maps, diagrams, aerial photography, and scanning results. The system supports data import from various formats and electronic measurement devices like total stations and theodolites.

The plant infrastructure management system can be centralized on a single server with user access differentiation for secure data storage and management.

How do you merge surface measurements with drone data? Using K-MINE software, you can combine surface measurements and drone data in a single system, then perform analysis and calculations based on the integrated dataset.

What surveying method is the most versatile? While the most versatile method depends on specific goals, LiDAR is often regarded as the most universal for mining surveying operations. It provides high measurement accuracy and a wide range of functions including digital terrain model creation and change detection, regardless of adverse weather conditions.

Which software do you recommend for processing survey data? K-MINE supports direct upload of survey data. If you already use specialized software for very specific operations, you can use a combination of K-MINE plus your existing software for an integrated workflow.

If you discover the original boundary is incorrect during mining, do you stop and reconfigure? K-MINE allows users to correct data at any time. If an unreliable initial resource boundary or significant imbalance in resources is detected, detailed analysis and model correction can be performed quickly.

What hardware does K-MINE work with? K-MINE supports the most popular data formats including LAS, CSV, TXT, and XYZ. The format list is constantly expanding as equipment improves. For hardware with APIs that don't yet have native K-MINE integration, custom integration can be developed based on client request.

Does K-MINE create 3D models directly from drone imagery? It depends on the goals. If your data is in a supported format, you can process it directly in K-MINE. For very specific operations, you can use a combination of K-MINE with your existing processing software.

How many times do you need to survey using drones? The frequency depends on the size of the terrain and specific deposit conditions. K-MINE engineers can provide recommendations on survey frequency and accuracy requirements based on your site details.