Teck take on Maptek laser scanners

Canadian coal producer reaps benefits of I-Site 8800 long-range laser scanner  

AFTER purchasing seven I-Site long-range laser scanners from Maptek, surveyors from Teck’s coal business unit are experiencing the benefits of the latest survey technology first-hand.

Teck are the second largest exporters of high-quality steelmaking coal in the world, and the Canadian mining company recently purchased a Maptek I-Site 8800 scanner for each of their coal operations and projects across Alberta and British Columbia. 

I-Site 8800 laser scanners collect point cloud data from up to 2,000m and can capture 3D digital images safely while scanning. Setup and capture are fast and easy because a high-resolution digital camera is built in. I-Site Studio modelling software is also integrated in the unit, streamlining tasks such as mapping faces and updating surfaces. 

The I-Site scanners were rolled out at several Teck sites earlier in the year and improvements have already been noted. Surveyors can now capture 2 million points for an area that may have been previously surveyed with 10 GPS points. 

‘We are delighted with the accuracy and speed of stockpile modelling,’ said Eric Jensen, director of engineering for Teck’s coal business unit. ‘The scanner is robust enough to withstand what is going on in the pit and simple to adjust. It also translates really well to the surveyors in the office.

‘It has been such a change to the workflow with increased accuracy and an acceptable level of improvement. Uncertainly is eliminated because the volumes are accurate.

‘I-Site is a safe way to get detailed pictures. At Teck, safety is more than just a priority – it is an unwavering value and an inherent part of who we are. Now, with I-Site, no one has to go near the highwall.’