3D Maps from Elios 3 Help Mining Operation Find Cause of Ore Pass Hangup in 10 Minutes

3D Maps From Elios 3 Help Mining Operation Find Cause Of Ore Pass Hangup In 10 Minutes

A major mining operation used the Elios 3 to quickly identify the cause of a hangup in an ore pass, pinpointing its exact location and visualizing the clog through a 3D map—within just ten minutes. This fast and accurate solution saved time, resources, and potential safety risks.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Access

The Elios 3 was able to fly directly up the ore pass, capturing both visual and LiDAR data that was then displayed in a real-time 3D Live Map. This provided a clear view of the hangup, giving critical insights into its structure and cause.

Speed

What used to take two months to locate and understand was resolved in under ten minutes with the Elios 3, drastically reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

Precise Locational Data

The Elios 3’s 3D Live Map combined with geolocational data allowed mine staff to accurately determine where the hangup was located. This avoided weeks of unnecessary drilling and manual investigation.

Introduction

In mining operations, equipment like LHDs (also known as muckers) transport ore from a draw point to an ore pass—a vertical passage through which the ore falls. The ore then combines into a single raise and continues down to a haulage level, where it is loaded onto trucks for processing. This entire system is referred to as the ore flow system. Its primary function is to move ore from higher levels of the mine to lower ones for processing. For this to work efficiently, the ore passes must remain open and free of blockages. However, clogs—commonly called hangups—can occur. When this happens, it's crucial for mining personnel to quickly locate and remove the obstruction to avoid costly delays and safety issues.

Customer Needs

At a large mining operation in Colorado, a significant hangup formed in an ore pass, completely blocking the flow of ore. Initially, workers assumed the clog was near the truck chute, but after inspecting the area, they found nothing visible. To locate the issue, they used a CMS scanner to get a rough idea of the blockage's position, about 27.5 meters (90 feet) up the pass. They then drilled long holes and used a sewer camera to try and find the exact location. Despite these efforts, they couldn't fully clear the blockage, and after two months of unsuccessful attempts, the area was abandoned.

Solution

Later, Flyability pilots demonstrated the Elios 3 drone to the mine team. The Elios 3 offers real-time video and a 3D Live Model on a tablet, allowing operators to see both the visual feed and a detailed 3D representation of the environment. The mine team saw the potential of the Elios 3 for quickly identifying the source of the hangup.

Results

Within just ten minutes, the Elios 3’s 3D Live Map revealed the exact location of the clog. It turned out to be a single massive rock, not several smaller ones as previously thought. This information would have made the clearing process much more efficient. Instead of using small charges to shake the mass loose, the team could have targeted the large rock with a precise explosive charge, breaking it into manageable pieces.

Benefits of Using Elios 3

  • Speed: Reduced the time to identify the hangup from two months to ten minutes.
  • Access: Enabled direct exploration of the ore pass, providing visual and LiDAR data in a 3D map.
  • Precise Locational Data: Eliminated the need for exploratory drilling by offering accurate positioning.
  • Reduced Labor: Could have cut the time needed to clear the clog from over two months to less than two weeks.
  • Reduced Downtime: Prevented production losses caused by the blocked ore pass, saving valuable time and resources.

Conclusion

The success of the Elios 3 in locating the hangup has encouraged the mine to adopt the technology for future use. They plan to use it for investigating other hangups and collecting data in hard-to-reach areas across the mine. With its ability to improve safety, accuracy, and efficiency, the Elios 3 is proving to be a game-changer in modern mining operations. As the team continues to implement the technology, they expect to uncover even more valuable applications for the drone in their daily workflow.

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