A Portable Mobile 3D Laser Scanning System for Deep Mining Geomechanics Research

An increase in global demand for minerals requires extraction from great depths (> 1.5 km). In recent years, as mining companies pursue deeper orebodies, the safe and economic design of underground mines has become increasingly important. There are many geomechanics challenges with respect to deep mining arising from complex and unexpected rock behavior due to high stress conditions, such as rock burst and ground squeezing. In this respect, Natural Resources Canada has recently identified deep mining as one of the key mining research areas with an objective to build new clean technology pathways for the mining industry.*The applicant requests funds to purchase a state-of-the-art remote sensing system to address key geomechanics questions associated with deep mining. The proposed equipment is a portable mobile 3D laser scanner that is based on the Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithm. Current applications of this system are mostly related to monitoring surface structures and profiling underground cavities. Therefore, there is a knowledge gap concerning how to effectively deploy this technology in active underground mining environments, where light, space and time are often limited. The proposed laser scanner will be used as a handheld unit for scanning tunnel faces and pillar walls while walking near them. The speed and portability of the scanner facilitate repeated surveys of excavations, without causing any interruptions to the mine operations. The specific research applications include monitoring deformation of pillar walls, identifying the shape and extent of failed zones, characterizing discontinuities and improving ground support design methodologies. The results of laser scanning will be integrated into advanced geomechanics software to improve our understanding of stress fracturing processes that occur during mining activities and the consequent progressive strength degradation, deformation and bulking behavior near the excavation boundaries.*After testing this system in a laboratory setting at Dalhousie University, field research will be initiated at local mines in Nova Scotia and underground test facilities (e.g., NORCAT training centre in Sudbury, ON) before it will be deployed in active deep mines. The start-of-the-art laser scanning system and geomechanics software will provide excellent opportunities for the training of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) and for knowledge transfer to the mining industry. Moreover, HQP will learn how to effectively carry out research within a working mine, which will prepare them for their future roles as mining, ground control and geotechnical engineers.*