3D laser mapping improves safety at Tanzanian gold mine
01 October 2008
Mine safety has been greatly enhanced at the World's third biggest gold producer with the introduction of a laser scanning system
NASAngloGold Ashanti, one of the world’s leading gold producers, has introduced a laser scanning system to improve safety at the Geita Goldmine in Tanzania. The system includes a long range laser scanning unit, integrated digital camera and sophisticated operating software, which is being used to continuously monitor an area of the mine that has been prone to failure.
AngloGold Ashanti produced 5.5 million ounces of gold in 2007 - an estimated 7% of global production - making it the third largest producer in the world. The Geita Goldmine began production in 2000 and is the largest of Anglo Gold Ashanti’s eight open-pit mines in Africa and is the group’s only operation Tanzania. In 2007 Geita produced 327,000 ounces of gold, equivalent to 6% of the group’s total production.
Supplied by UK based 3D Laser Mapping, the system, which can capture centimetre accurate measurements at distances of up to 2,500 metres, provides round the clock collection and analysis, giving early warning of movements in the mine wall allowing managers to take preventative action.
“Before using the 3D Laser Mapping system we relied on conventional prism monitoring and Slope Stability Radar,” commented Sean Jefferys, Chief Mine Surveyor. “Operating from a permanent, secure location and at a safe distance the laser scanning system gives us comprehensive, continuous monitoring of the active mining area for the duration of mining. The solution is reliable, economical and effective, improving the safety of personnel and equipment and minimising the impact of failures on our operations.”
The laser scanning system supplied by 3D Laser Mapping includes a Riegl LPM-2k long range laser scanner, which can capture up to four point measurements per second, to an accuracy of 50mm and at a range of up to 2,500 metres plus an integrated high resolution digital camera. The data captured is analysed
using 3D Laser Mapping’s SiteMonitor analysis software, which compares measurements over time, providing early warning of movements greater than 50mm and therefore potential failures in the active mining area that may impact on production, cause damage to equipment or even injury to personnel.
3D Laser Mapping is a specialist in laser scanning solutions, the Riegl Premier Distributor for the UK, Ireland and sub-Saharan Africa and the leading distributor of TerraScan software. The company integrates laser scanner hardware systems with their own software and peripherals to create robust solutions for sectors such as mapping, mining and manufacturing.
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