Murali Krishna and Nooka Ratnam, J Geol Geophys 2016, 6:1 DOI: 10.4172/2381-8719.1000270 Open Access Research Article J o u r n a l o f G e o l o g y & G e o p h y s i c s ISSN: 2381-8719 Journal of Geology & Geophysics Volume 6 • Issue 1 • 1000270 J Geol Geophys, an open access journal ISSN: 2381-8719 *Corresponding author: Murali Krishna G, Head, GIS Technology and Applications Development, Xinthe Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Visakhapatnam-530003, India, Tel: +91-9666498379; +91-9949797108; E-mail: murali.krishna.gurram@gmail.com; ratna_k12@yahoo.com Received July 28, 2016; Accepted October 27, 2016; Published October 31, 2016 Citation: Murali Krishna G, Nooka Ratnam K (2016) Utility of Large Scale Photogrammetric Techniques for 3-D Mapping and Precision Iron Ore Mining in Open Pit Areas. J Geol Geophys 5: 270. doi: 10.4172/2381-8719.1000270 Copyright: © 2016 Murali Krishna G, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Keywords: Large scale photogrammetry; 3D mapping; Precision iron ore mining Introduction During the last decade, the photogrammetry and mapping industry has seen tremendous impetus in the implementation of innovative methods for accurate planning, 3D mapping and computation of mining ore and resources volumes. Notable studies by diferent authors particularly [1-3] have demonstrated the signifcance of accurate 3D shape reconstruction and volume estimation in many applications, for example, erosion studies, estimation of ore removed from a mine face and terrain assessment for construction etc. Particularly, digital photogrammetry has gained tremendous popularity due to the technology advancements in collecting detailed spatial information pertaining to the extent of mineral resource using high-resolution cameras or laser scanners and producing and rendering the digital 3D surface models [4-7]. Digital terrain models (DTMs) coupled with ancillary information, such as, dip direction and dip measurements, joint spacing etc., help in the assessment and characterization of mineral volumes [8,9]. Most importantly, digital photogrammetry is proven to be more reliable and cost efective when it is required to update the mapping of ore stockpiles, pits and infrastructure areas on a regular basis, generally at quarterly intervals for various sites, simultaneously [10]. On the other hand, it is also important to consider the geomorphic confguration and characteristics of the associated features as they may have certain degree of infuence on open-pit mining [11,12]. A study has been undertaken to map and estimate the mineral ore stockpiles. Abstract Precision mining and optimization of ore mining practise are gaining more importance as the global demand and competition for exploring the raw mineral material has grown manifold with increased industrialization world-wide. The overall process of mining activity involves ore identifcation, estimation, planning, excavation, transportation etc. The activity requires accurate mapping, monitoring and proper management of information pertaining to ore stockpile, mining pits and infrastructure of the areas on a regular basis. Of late, advancements in remote sensing techniques have paved a way for digital management of the mining activity. Especially, use of photogrammetric techniques for open pit mining are found to be highly accurate and effective in capturing, monitoring, mapping, managing the information pertaining to mining in a three dimensional (3D) space. Capturing of information pertaining to mines in 3-D perspective with respect to a specifc location on the terrain is highly effective in accurate estimation of ore reserves, exploration and reclamation planning, ore continuity mapping and decision making. However, precision mining requires the use of large scale photogrammetric techniques with high resolution imagery of gigabytes size at mapping scales range from 1: 1000 to 1: 5000. In addition to that, the entire procedure involves the use of state-of-the- art software and hardware for fast processing of data and subsequent digital output generation. Above all, involvement of skilled photogrammetric experts with specialised knowledge on open pit mining is very much essential for accurate interpretation and delineation of the resources. A project was carried out for the 3D mapping of iron ore stockpiles, pits and infrastructure areas at various sites. The stockpile and pit mapping is used for very precise volume measurements and the infrastructure mapping is used for general mine planning activities. High accuracy is critical, as the data and volume reports are used to calculate the value of the ore being extracted, and any errors in the mapping data can result in incorrect payments of large amounts of money. Since, the timeline specifed to complete the task is very short, it is crucial that the staff doing the fnal volume computations and downstream processing should receive the accurate data, correctly coded and mapped according to the standards outlined. The study has demonstrated a typical workfow for the effective use of close range photogrammetric techniques for 3D mapping and iron ore mining in open pit areas. The study also sees a brighter outlook and challenges of upcoming aerial and terrestrial photogrammetric technology for precision mining. Utility of Large Scale Photogrammetric Techniques for 3-D Mapping and Precision Iron Ore Mining in Open Pit Areas Murali Krishna G 1 * and Nooka Ratnam K 2 1 GIS Technology and Applications Development, Xinthe Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Visakhapatnam, India 2 Department of Geology, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajah Rajah Narendra Nagar, Rajahmundry, India In some cases material may have been moved around on top of the stockpile itself which would also require re-mapping [13]. Te stockpile and pit mapping is used for very precise volume measurements and the infrastructure mapping is used for general mine planning activities [14-16]. Data accuracy is very critical as it is used to asses stockpile information and for the generation of volume reports which will be used as the basis for calculating the payments to subcontractors [17]. Any errors in the mapping data can result in incorrect payments of large amounts of money. In majority of the cases, the projects need to be completed within the given timelines and it is very important that the work is done in accordance with the schedules defned by the concerned Project Manager. In general practice, unless and otherwise notifed the workfow will always be the mapping and volumetric