Introduction

In a groundbreaking move, Mineral Resources Limited (MinRes) has revolutionized its surveying approach at the Mount Marion lithium mine in Western Australia by implementing advanced technologies from Maptek. The integration of Maptek laser scanners and PointStudio software has significantly enhanced the efficiency and safety of surveying operations.

Mining Operations

At Mount Marion, a conventional open-pit mining operation, a combination of traditional drill, blast, and haul methods is employed alongside state-of-the-art Maptek imaging systems and UAVs. This "best of both worlds" strategy ensures precise measurements while maximizing safety and productivity.

Mining Process and Future Plans

The mine processes ore through its on-site primary and secondary crushers, with a focus on producing a high-quality lithium concentrate targeting 6% Li2O. Additionally, an exploration decline has been initiated to lay the groundwork for a future underground operation, further expanding the mine's capabilities.

Impact of Maptek Technologies

Michael Sadural, Senior Mining Surveyor at Mount Marion, has experienced firsthand the transformative impact of the Maptek XR3 laser scanner over several years. "The introduction of Maptek Drive has been a game changer, reducing the risk of surveyor interactions with heavy machinery and environmental hazards like dust," he explained. The expedited data delivery to stakeholders is another major advantage, enabling better decision-making throughout the operation.

Essential Performance Under Harsh Conditions

Sadural stated that a reliable performance is essential, especially under harsh weather conditions, where consistent operation is critical to maintaining production schedules. "Survey data is the moment of truth—accurate and trustworthy data empowers teams to plan more effectively," he emphasized.

Geotechnical Analysis and Department Collaboration

Mount Marion utilizes specialized PointStudio add-ons for geotechnical analysis and design confirmation. This collaboration among various departments fosters a unified approach towards achieving safety and productivity goals. Sadural highlighted that accurate data minimizes the need for re-work, ensuring seamless integration of Maptek solutions from data acquisition to processing.

Unique Surveying Process Features

One of the unique features of their survey process is the ability to generate topographic surfaces, design conformance reports, and volume calculations all from a single dataset—streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.

Challenges and Solutions

However, the team faces challenges such as adverse weather conditions that can threaten the timely completion of monthly surveys. Thanks to Maptek Drive, the survey team can swiftly gather data and submit reports on schedule, while PointStudio software efficiently processes point clouds and filters data.

Adaptation of Surveying Techniques

With various spatial technologies deployed, including UAVs for their compact nature and extensive coverage, Mount Marion is able to adapt its surveying techniques to ensure complete coverage of pits, topography, and stockpiles. "We even mount laser scanners on vehicles for detailed geotechnical analyses and utilize rapid mobile scanning for surveying drill patterns and dig faces," Sadural noted.

Conclusion

Maptek’s dedicated mining solutions provide the Mount Marion team with the tools necessary to gather data efficiently and securely, culminating in an accurate terrain model tailored to operational needs. Sadural concluded, "Our surveying process has seen remarkable improvements and we’ve significantly upgraded our surveyors’ skills in conducting surveys and processing data." The advantages are clear: a single system for managing survey data processing and modeling leads to notable benefits such as accurate stockpile volume calculations and comprehensive design conformance reporting—an essential element for successful and efficient mining operations in today’s competitive market.