Modern Mining June 2018

PRODUCT News

Maptek showcases its Sentry system

Skyriders deploys drones on Namibian project Skyriders has carried out routine inspections of two smokestacks and one cooling tower using a highly successful combination of rope access and Remotely-Piloted Air System (RPAS) drones for client Dundee Precious Metals at its Tsumeb operation in Namibia. The drones completed a general internal visual inspection, followed by detailed visual inspection and core sampling by a six-person rope-access team. “The deliverable was a comprehensive report, with recommenda- tions signed off by our consulting engineers,” Skyriders’ Marketing Manager, Mike Zinn, explains. The deployment of drones makes for rapid and safe visual inspections. “This allows decision-makers such as engineers and plant owners to formulate a more focused inspec- tion plan, honing in on the areas of concern picked up during the drone inspection,” Zinn elaborates. Introduced by Skyriders in 2015, the use of drones has become an integral element of the company’s turnkey service offering. This comprises visual inspection using drones, detailed inspection by means of rope access, repairs undertaken by rope access, and then using drones as a quality control measure to inspect and verify the final repairs. This is the maiden project that Skyriders has undertaken for Dundee Precious Metals, with Tsumeb Namibia being an important showcase for its project and service offering. Skyriders, website: www.ropeaccess.co.za

a level of flexibility they simply haven’t had before, along with rapid and simple access to in-depth geotechnical insights. “Many monitoring systems are fixed or simply not inherently mobile,” adds Howarth. “The beauty of Sentry is that yes, it is fully designed for permanent monitor- ing, but it can also be moved around the mine with ease. Which means you can react to changes in your mine and quickly begin monitoring them. “Equally, if you’re performing weekly, or monthly monitoring, the laser scanner can be detached between monitoring ses- sions to perform routine survey tasks, such as volumetrics or reconciliation.” Maptek, tel (+27 11) 750-9660, e-mail: info@maptek.co.za

Specialists in mining, civil engineering, geomechanics, geology, hydrogeology and geophysics recently came together in Seville, Spain, at Slope Stability 2018, to explore new techniques for improving open-pit mine stability. Maptek shipped its latest Sentry mobile monitoring system some 17 000 km from its Adelaide manufacturing base to show- case it at Slope Stability. “Sentry is different from many other monitoring systems in that it uses LIDAR data,” says James Howarth, Maptek Mine Measurement Product Manager. “And we’re receiving great feedback from our customers. Their geotech and survey teams are telling us that Sentry gives them

Maptek’s Sentry mobile monitoring system.

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