Utilization of Augmented and Virtual Reality Technologies in Geoscience and Mining

Abstract

This study reviewed application cases of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in the fields of geoscience and mining and evaluated their future prospects. Numerous papers and reports were reviewed closely. AR has been applied in the field of geoscience for the purposes of geological surveying, geoscience education, underground facility management, and geotourism. There were relatively few cases in which AR was used in the mining sector, but some cases could be classified as mine development enhancement and mine reclamation support. Conversely, VR has been applied to education and geotourism in the field of geoscience. VR has been applied in the mining sector since the 1980s for mining development simulation, training for worker safety, and mining software control. These technologies will be useful for geological surveying and stability improvement in the fields of geoscience and mining.