Development of a Laboratory for Testing the Accuracy of Terrestrial 3D Laser Scanning Technologies

Abstract

The mining market is currently overwhelmed by technology vendors offering scanning equipment as ‘solutions’ for real time mapping and monitoring rock mass movement for mine safety. Mines are left with a problem in that the technology is mostly unproven and not originally designed for mine safety accuracies. Scanning system accuracy assessment needs to be done so as to increase the level of confidence and trust in the quality of the results. The scope of this research is set a laboratory for testing terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) systems – complete with targets fix on the wall of the testing laboratory, which plays a vital role in creating high quality and reliable digital point clouds. To improve the accuracy test of the scanning system, we support exact positioning and distance measurement of points cloud by providing revolutionizing surveying solutions and infrastructure development. The FARO, a static 3D laser scanner and uGPS, a mobile 3D laser scanning system are tested in this research. If the level of accuracy of these TLS systems can be ascertained, this can fit into the production process, ore flow analysis to measure discrepancy and metal accounting principles. Notably, this will add value to mining operations chains through measurement and adequate monitoring of process by revealing the modifying factor contributing to mine loss. More importantly good decisions can be made on mine evacuation when point cloud comparisons raise alarm on rock mass movement. With this laboratory, we can offer a vital service to the mining industry by certifying new scanning solutions as these arrive on the market. This will make mines safer.