Neptec Technologies has launched a stockpile monitoring software for the mining industry.
Called 3D Real-time intelligence (3DRi), the application monitors stockpile levels and reports volumes using OPAL laser scanners installed around a cluster of stockpiles at the mine.
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Designed with the capability to operate in adverse and dusty environments, the OPAL scanners do not need any special, air-conditioned or heated enclosures, the company said.
3DRi performs 3D data processing at the point-of-collection to calculate stockpile volumes, thereby eliminating the manual acquisition, transmission and post-processing of 3D point cloud data sets.
The technology is said to allow users to remotely schedule scanning events, define individual stockpiles in a cluster and customise the automatic reporting, including simple volume reports, point cloud grid and surface files for individual stockpiles.
The results can be exported to mine planning software or enterprise-level mine information systems.
Neptec Technologies CEO Mike Sekerka said: "Our customers are asking us for ‘more information, less data’ and that is what we continue to focus on as we roll-out more productivity and safety applications based on our 3DRi software development kit and OPAL sensors."
Last year, Neptec formed a joint venture with Peck Tech Consulting to offer the global mining market sensor-driven automation products and services.
Peck Tech Consulting president and CEO Dr Jon Peck said: "Stockpiles inventories are a key financial metric for a mine.
"An automated, accurate and consistent way of getting this information has huge value to mine operators."
Image: 3DRi allows users to remotely schedule scanning events and define individual stockpiles in a cluster. Photo: courtesy of Neptec Technologies Corp.
