South Crofty Mine has taken part in the final trials of an innovative and new piece of mine surveying equipment.
The Remote Surveying Vehicle (RSV) used to carry a laser scanner is currently being tested and fine-tuned before being ‘commercialised’ for general sale.
Developed by Camborne School of Mines graduate, Dr James Jobling-Purser of Jobling-Purser RSV LLP in Penryn, the RSV provides a stable platform to carry the scanner over rough terrain and, because it can be controlled from a distance, it can be driven into potentially hazardous areas without risk to operators. Designed and built in Cornwall, the RSV has taken five years to perfect.
Working in conjunction with Exeter-based surveying company, Merrett Survey Partnership (MSP) owned by Peter Merrett – also a Camborne School of Mines graduate – the scanner and RSV have been combined to create a piece of equipment that provides a massive increase in the speed, efficiency and safety of underground laser scanning surveys.
Alan Shoesmith, CEO of Western United Mines, owners of South Crofty, said the whole experience had been extremely beneficial. He explained: “From an engineering point of view this revolutionary RSV, coupled with the scanning equipment, can show in a matter of minutes information that would take our surveyors weeks to accumulate. The amount of detail derived by the scanning technology far exceeds any conventional survey methods and really suits our working environment.”
Both Jobling-Purser and Merrett were pleased with the outcome of the trials at South Crofty. The RSV has already been tested in a Mexican silver mine and the South African Mine Surveyors Institute has expressed great interest in the technology, but South Crofty is the first European mine to use the equipment.
