Beck Engineering will use GeoSLAM’s ZEB-REVO for underground mine mapping.

Mining industry innovator, has confirmed its ambitious plans to use GeoSLAM’s handheld 3D laser scanning devices for underground geomechnical monitoring within the global mining industry. The solution was supplied by GeoSLAM’s Perth-based Australian distributor, 3D Laser Mapping.

Beck Engineering is an Australian mining engineering consultancy specialising in mining and rock mechanics analysis. With more than 14 years’ experience assisting mining project globally, Beck Engineering applies its expertise to provide mining engineering and geomechanical forecasts for a broad range of underground and surface mining methods. Easy to use 3D mapping technologies that speed up this process, such as GeoSLAM’s, are therefore incredibly valuable not only for mining, but also resources, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering and surveying.

Cross section comparisons from Beck Engineering’s monitoring surveys using GeoSLAM’s ZEB1

GeoSLAM was founded in 2012 as a joint venture between Australia’s national research body CSIRO and UK investors. CSIRO developed the revolutionary Zebeedee, which uses simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) to accurately map indoors and outdoors in real-time. GeoSLAM have also claimed to be leading the global ‘democratisation of laser scanning’.

GeoSLAM has since further evolved the systems to include the handheld ZEB1 and the newer ZEB-REVO handheld mapping systems, which are capable of recording 40,000 measurements every second. The ZEB-REVO can also be paired with the ZEB-CAM to record contextual imagery and it can also be mounted onto vehicles, including UAV.

Thanks to its use of GeoSLAM’s ZEB1, Beck Engineering has shown able to supply invaluable data regarding the direct effects of mining to better understand the implications of a deforming rock mass. Beck Engineering is now able to accurately measure the shape of an excavation or tunnel over time. As a result, tunnels are safer, better designed and more cost efficient. GeoSLAM was chosen as it is a small, light, and portable solution that delivers a high level of accuracy.

Mine plan from Beck Engineering’s monitoring surveys using GeoSLAM’s ZEB1

The applications of the spatially continuous monitoring data collected by the GeoSLAM devices is being applied to a wide range of geomechanics applications providing their clients with a previously unattainable insight into their rock mass behaviour. This data assists their clients to better tailor their ground support regimes, monitor convergence and better target rehabilitation areas creating a safer mine. They are also using it to analyse development overbreak for an added financial improvement.

Evan Jones, Senior Rock Mechanics Engineer at Beck Engineering said “We have continued to use GeoSLAM products as they have proven to be affordable, lightweight and sufficiently robust device for their application underground. GeoSLAM continue to produce a high-quality device that is at the forefront of practical mobile laser scanning devices.”

Beck Engineering recently acquired GeoSLAM’s newest lightweight laser scanner, the ZEB-REVO, and is looking to provide its current and future clients with improved datasets and analyses. They have also recently partnered with the University of New South Wales to help further research the applications of mobile laser scanning technology in underground applications.