The mining industry is witnessing a transformative shift with the introduction of advanced geospatial mapping technologies, and the Exyn Nexys system stands out as a prime example. This innovative tool empowers surveyors to safely access and scan areas that were once deemed unreachable, facilitating more informed decision-making across various mining processes. Tsvetan Balov, a Senior Drilling and Blasting Engineer, emphasizes the profound impact of this technology: “Using the Nexys to autonomously scan the stopes gives us greater accuracy. This greater accuracy helps us to more precisely design adjacent stopes or, in the case of blasting issues, to design additional blast holes.”
One particularly striking instance of the Nexys system’s capabilities came to light during a recent project involving a stope characterized by a singular access point and a complex shape. Traditional methods struggled to deliver a comprehensive scan of this challenging void, often leading to the premature classification of areas as fully mined. However, the deployment of the Exyn Nexys revealed an unexpected treasure: a section of the stope that had not been mined, commonly referred to as an underbreak. The stark reality is that conventional techniques typically yield deviations of 5-7%, leaving significant room for error. With the Nexys, precise measurements can be taken for each cavity, leading to a more thorough understanding of the mining landscape. This newfound clarity means that miners can avoid leaving money on the table, and the results have been staggering: DPM has discovered that 10-15% of its stopes contain additional ore when fully scanned with the Exyn solution.
The numbers speak volumes. With around 60 stopes mined each year, the financial implications of uncovering previously overlooked ore quickly accumulate, turning what could be a costly oversight into a lucrative opportunity. The Nexys system has not only enhanced the accuracy of scans but has also revolutionized the frequency of these assessments. The survey team reports a significant uptick in the number of scans conducted on production stopes, a shift largely attributed to the user-friendly nature of the technology. “We look forward to operating it, making safety and efficiency ‘fun,’” the team notes.
Typically, a stope with a lifecycle of about 30 days sees five to six scans, allowing for a continuous flow of detailed information throughout its lifecycle. This iterative scanning process enables the team to make informed, data-driven decisions that optimize mining operations. Hristo Dobrev, a Senior Mine Surveyor, highlights the versatility of the Nexys system: “The ability to use it in different configurations, such as a handheld scanner, vehicle-mounted device, and scanning drone, makes it practical and easy to use. It saves the team time and effort, with the final result delivering high quality, actionable data.”
This leap forward in technology is not just about improving efficiency; it’s about reshaping the very fabric of mining operations. As the industry grapples with the challenges of resource depletion and environmental concerns, tools like the Exyn Nexys could be pivotal in driving a more sustainable and profitable future. The ability to uncover hidden resources while ensuring safety and efficiency is a game changer, and it’s clear that the mining sector is on the brink of a technological renaissance.
