Mining and Reclamation Study

Mike Dunn, author of Recent Developments in Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP) for Mining and Reclamation, writes, "The mining/reclamation community depends on accurate mapping for almost all activities. Traditional ground surveys are totally adequate for small, uncomplicated jobs but at some point, the size and/or complexity of a project makes it more economical to have a site “flown” (mapped using aerial photogrammetry). Because of cost, most projects are only “flown” at the start and less often when completed. Changes during the project may be surveyed but in many cases aren’t worth it –negative cost/benefit, too dangerous, or inaccessible. AML complaint investigators can face similar issues. For example, monitoring a nuisance landslip to decide whether it is a true emergency. Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP) offers much potential for measuring features that can’t or aren’t being measured otherwise."

Mike Dunn's slides from his presentation can be found here (6.3MB pdf).

Cliff Face

This screen shot shows an eroded cliff face project. One of the three photographs, and two 3D views are portrayed. The top 3D view shows the shaded TIN and contours. The bottom 3D view shows the colored point cloud.

This fascinating video shows an animation of the rotating model along with changes in display type. (5MB FLV)

Gravel Quarry

These quarry and stockpile shots were done with a Canon EOS 1DS mark II and 50mm Leica lens from a Cesna 172 aeroplane at approx. 300 meters. An animation is shown on the Scanner example page here.

It was a test of making volume measurement and it succeeded very well. The screen shot below shows the stockpile's contours (on top of both shaded and textured models), as well as the volume above the ground plane in the software's Measure window.