Sep 20 2013
Neptec Technologies Corp., a leading developer of innovative 3D robotic vision products, today announced the successful demonstration of its OPAL-360 obscurant-penetrating LiDAR scanner at Barrick Gold Corp.’s Goldstrike mine in Nevada.
The OPAL-360 was mounted on a P&H 4100 shovel and collected real-time 3D data during loading operations in the mine. “Subjecting our OPAL scanners to the dusty, vibration- and shock-intense real-world operating environment of mining equipment is a major proof point for us,“ said Mike Sekerka, Chief Operating Officer at Neptec Technologies. “The testing at Goldstrike went off without a hitch.”
The Goldstrike demonstration of OPAL is part of a collaborate initiative involving Neptec, Barrick, Teck Resources Ltd., Peck Teck Consulting Ltd. and others to develop intelligent automation solutions in the complex loading area of open pit mines. OPAL 2.0 laser scanners, which incorporate Neptec’s patented obscurant-penetrating LiDAR technology, are specifically designed for real-time applications in harsh environments like mining.
“We are looking to technologies like OPAL and 3DRi to help us improve the safety, productivity and process control of our mining operations,” said Andrew Scott, Barrick’s Director of Mining Information Technology and Automation. “Neptec’s commercialization program, aimed at bringing proven Space technologies developed for the Canadian Space Agency and NASA into other industries, shows how innovations from outside the traditional mining technology community can be applied to real, high-value problems in our industry.”
“When the government of Canada chose to participate in the exploration of Space, few people would have predicted that the resulting technology innovations would one day make mining operations safer and more profitable,” said Paul Nephin, Chairman and a founder of Neptec Technologies. “The OPAL scanner is a perfect example of how Canadian government investment in innovation in the Space program benefits other industries and builds a stronger economy by creating new products, jobs and global export opportunities for Canadians.”
“This initiative is about improving productivity and safety, and mitigating the chronic skills shortages in our industry,” said Peter Wan, Principal Advisor on Mining Technology at Teck. “We are very encouraged by the performance of Neptec’s OPAL and are looking forward to the next phase as Neptec develops a truck spotting solution for us.”
Neptec Technologies recently presented results of the Goldstrike demonstration at ISARC 2013 in Montreal. Additional information is available from www.neptectechnologies.com and here.
Source: http://www.neptectechnologies.com