philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

BRINGING VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY TO THE FOREFRONT OF MINING

Seeing the potential to extend the applicability of this technology to the mining sector, Microsoft recently partnered with Trimble to integrate its HoloLens technology with Trimble’s Connected Mine Visual Intelligence module. Users can visualize mine designs or stopes and interact and manipulate virtual data to evaluate improvements. Additionally, it will help users to collaborate with other professionals’ offsite, who can see and interact with the same holographic images, all without the need of a computer screen or keyboard.

VAR could also help Geologists and Engineers confirm and field test their models and plans through holographic spatial mapping. They would be able to visualize mine design, a bench in a pit or a block model to more accurately define ore tonnage and grade. Rather than simply viewing a 2D or 3D representation on a monitor or paper, VAR users can interact with and manipulate holographic images.

Gil Lawson, Goldcorp’s Vice President, Geology and Mine Planning, sees tremendous opportunity for VAR technology in the areas of mine planning, training and safety, “Using virtual and augmented reality to transport people to the face of the mine to address an issue in a high-risk area without them having to physically go underground would go a long way towards making our operations safer.”

See the full story here: http://www.justmeans.com/blog/bringing-virtual-and-augmented-reality-to-the-forefront-of-mining