INNOVATIVE SHAFT SCANNING TECHNIQUE DEVELOPED

FROM COLLABORATION WITH 3D LASER MAPPING AND AF

CONSULT

3D Laser Mapping has developed a solution to scan a vertical ventilation system at LKAB´s

mine in Kiruna together with AF Infrastructure AB.

Kiruna Mine is the world’s largest underground Iron Ore mine, at approximately 1300m

deep. A ventilation shaft with a 400m vertical drop and around a 3x4m cross section

needed to be scanned to enable an increase in production and to know the shape of the

existing shaft. Due to the scale and nature of the project area, problems were faced when

mapping the shaft. Previous methods of gathering as-built data involved a platform that

was moved manually between set ups, which proved to be expensive and time consuming.

3D Laser Mapping were approached by AF Consult, with the hope of finding a faster

solution to the problem.

A system was devised that used ZEB technology, combined with the ZebRA (Remote

Actuator), a device that can be used on a remotely controlled platform. This allowed the

ZEB1, which is normally handheld, to be mounted to a metal cross frame and lowered into

the mine shaft. This increased the mobility and versatility of the solution.

To execute the initial scans for this new project, the ZebRA system was lowered into the

vertical shaft at approximately 1.5km/h. This allowed for a depth of 350m to be scanned

in both directions in only 30 minutes.

‘If you use the technology

correctly and know what

you are doing this is most

definitely a game changer.

After a trial period…we

have refined our method

and feel confident about

what we can deliver to our

clients.’ Lennart Gimring,

Senior Consultant, AF

Consult – Sweden

After repeat trials and testing of this new system, a methodology was devised for the most

successful use of the ZEB1 scanner in the vertical shaft, reducing the length measured per

scan to 100m for improved accuracy. AF Consult are constantly refining their technique,

resulting in a growing confidence in the solution which is currently the only viable working

method to scan vertical shafts at the mine currently.

Considering the ZEB1 system was originally designed for capturing data using closed loops,

the results found in this study for the application of vertical shaft scanning has generated

results even beyond our own expectations.

Contacts:

Editorial and advertising enquiries, call Eileen Pegg, +44 (0) 1949 838004

Reader enquiries to Eileen Pegg, eileenpegg@3dlasermapping.com

tel: +44 (0)1949 838004, www.3dlasermapping.com.

+46 10 505 00 00, info@afconsult.com

Please email colour separation requests to Fax +44 (0)1666 824668

Notes to Editors:

3D Laser Mapping is a world leading provider of laser scanning technology. We offer

solutions that capture 3D data and then process this data to deliver information for

making decisions.

Headquartered in Bingham, near Nottingham in the UK, the company employs over 35

highly trained, specialist staff. We achieve global reach through our branch offices in

South Africa, USA and Australia as well as our network of international distributors.

We pride ourselves in offering the very best technical support in the business and run

dedicated training packages and consultancy services to suit each customer’s need.

3D Laser Mapping is proud to serve our hundreds of customers which include mining

companies, governments, academic institutions and blue-chip owners & operators of

assets such as highways, power lines, railways and buildings to name but a few.

The ÅF Group is a leader in technical consulting, with expertise founded on more than a

century of experience.

ÅF is an engineering and consulting company for the energy, industrial and infrastructure

markets, creating progress for our clients since 1895. By connecting technologies we

provide profitable, innovative and sustainable solutions to shape the future and improve

people's lives. Building on our strong base in Europe, our business and clients are found all

over the world.

ÅF – Innovation by experience.