Open Cut » Geotech
This project evaluated the suitability of a UAV-LiDAR system for mapping structural characteristics of pit walls compared to terrestrial laser scanning and UAV-photogrammetry. A UAV-LiDAR system was integrated, tested in a controlled environment and then deployed in an active mine environment.
The UAV-LiDAR system was operated in varying flight configurations to identify optimal operational characteristics, such as scan range, flying patterns, angle and speed, to investigate their effects on achieved point density and noise levels.
The report details the required optimal characteristics for structural mapping of a highwall. The UAV-LiDAR system was operated together with other mapping technologies such as terrestrial laser scanning and UAV based photogrammetry for scanning and mapping structural features on a highwall. A methodical approach for evaluation was used based on accuracy at check-points, distance uncertainty maps, coverage analysis, and data collection and processing time. The three mapping systems were found to be variably effective. The report discusses benefits and issues.
An advanced operating guideline with data acquisition and processing workflow was developed for a UAV-LiDAR system for mapping structural features on the pit wall. Overall, UAV-LiDAR is a rapidly developing technology and is promising for pit wall structural mapping after further modifications of both hardware and software.