**3D Maps from Elios 3 Help Mining Operation Identify Ore Pass Blockage in Just 10 Minutes**
A major mining operation used the Elios 3 drone to quickly identify the cause of a blockage in an ore pass, pinpointing its exact location and visualizing the clog in a 3D map within just ten minutes. This real-time data allowed the team to make informed decisions and avoid costly delays.
**Key Benefits at a Glance**
| Access | Speed | Precise Locational Data |
|--------|-------|-------------------------|
| The Elios 3 was able to fly directly up the ore pass and provide both visual and LiDAR data represented in a 3D Live Map, showing exactly what the blockage looked like and providing crucial information for determining its cause. | Time needed to find the cause of an ore pass blockage was reduced from two months to just ten minutes. | The Elios 3’s 3D Live Map and geolocational data allowed mine personnel to see exactly where the blockage was located and how it was situated in the ore pass, potentially avoiding weeks of wasted labor in drilling exploratory holes. |
**Introduction**
In mining operations, personnel working on an extraction level use LHDs (also known as muckers) to 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 large trucks collect it using a truck chute before transporting it to a crusher for processing.
This entire system is referred to as an ore flow system. It's essential that these raises remain open and unclogged for the operation to run smoothly. However, sometimes a blockage—called a hangup—can occur, making it necessary for mining teams to locate and remove it quickly to keep the system functioning.
**Customer Needs**
At a major mining operation in Colorado, a large hangup occurred in an ore pass, completely blocking the flow of ore. Initially, the team assumed the clog was near the truck chute, but after inspecting the area, they found nothing visible. This meant the blockage was further up the raise, out of sight.
To locate the issue, the team used a CMS scanner, which provided a low-density point cloud of the raise. They identified the general location around 27.5 meters (90 feet) up the pass. From there, they began drilling long holes and using a sewer camera to try to find the exact location. Despite months of effort, they couldn’t clear the blockage and eventually abandoned the area without fully understanding the cause.
**Solution**
Later, Flyability pilots demonstrated the Elios 3 drone to the mine team. The Elios 3 provides a live video feed and a 3D Live Model on a tablet, allowing users to see both the environment visually and in a 3D representation in real time. This made it ideal for inspecting the hard-to-reach areas of the ore pass.
**Results**
Within just ten minutes, the Elios 3’s 3D Live Map showed the exact location of the blockage. The team discovered that the hangup was caused by a single, massive rock, not multiple smaller ones as previously thought. This insight would have drastically changed their approach to clearing the blockage.
Using the Elios 3 could have saved weeks of work and significantly reduced downtime. Instead of drilling multiple holes and using small charges, they could have targeted the large rock directly with a more effective explosive charge.
**Benefits of Using Elios 3**
- **Speed**: Reduced the time to identify the cause of the blockage from two months to just ten minutes.
- **Access**: Enabled direct inspection of the ore pass with high-quality visual and LiDAR data.
- **Precise Locational Data**: Provided accurate mapping to avoid unnecessary drilling and save time.
- **Reduced Labor**: Could have cut the labor required to clear the blockage from over two months to less than two weeks.
- **Reduced Downtime**: Avoided significant production losses by quickly identifying and addressing the issue.
**Conclusion**
The success of the Elios 3 in locating the blockage has led the mine team to plan for future use of the drone in similar situations. They also intend to expand its use for LiDAR and visual data collection in other inaccessible areas of the mine.
They believe the Elios 3 can help reduce downtime, improve safety, and increase the accuracy of data collected across their operations. As they continue to implement the technology, they expect to discover even more valuable applications for the Elios 3 in their mining processes.
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