July 17, 2008 -- Anglo Platinum’s South African mining operations are employing the latest laser scanning technology to improve safety and increase production. Supplied by UK based 3D Laser Mapping to support expansion of Anglo Platinum’s Rustenburg Mine, the systems combine the latest laser scanning technology with sophisticated software to capture and continuously analyse highly accurate measurements for the automatic monitoring of pit walls and mined material.

Anglo Platinum is the world’s largest primary producer of platinum with an ambitious expansion programme in place to increase production capacity by 5% to meet growth in global demand. Safety is a paramount concern for the company whose operation comprises of 7 mines, 3 joint ventures, 3 smelters, a base metals and a precious metals refinery. Anglo Platinum is already using laser-monitoring solutions from 3D Laser Mapping to improve safety, increase production and achieve cost savings.

“We are determined and focused on creating a safe working environment for all employees,” said Frans Benadé, Section Surveyor. “The 3D Laser Mapping solutions have already helped reduce the risk of injury to personnel, property and equipment, enabled higher production due to decreased downtime and reduced the resources required for ongoing safety monitoring.”

The first of the new 3D Laser Mapping Systems will be used to monitor the Eastern Wall of the Open Pit part of the new expansion project at PPRust, since the upper benches consist of highly oxidised material that tends to create failures. The system, which combines a LPM 321 laser scanner with SiteMonitor software, will also be used to monitor the Western Wall for deformation. The second system, comprising of a Z420i laser scanner plus VolumeMonitor software will be mainly used on the production side of the operation, measuring and quantifying platinum ore and waste materials both mined and stockpiled.

Anglo Platinum is already operating two Riegl LPM-2K Laser Scanners supplied by 3D Laser Mapping. The systems perform continuous, 24/7, remote scanning at locations determined by Anglo Platinum’s Geotechnical Rock Engineering team collecting hundreds of point measurements that are automatically analysed using SiteMonitor software. By comparing readings against base measurements the 3D Laser Mapping software can detect surface movement or slope deformations for further investigation by Anglo Platinum’s Geotechnical Department.

“This further investment in laser scanning solutions from 3D Laser Mapping is based on the excellent results and service we continue to receive from the hardware, software and personnel,” concluded Benadé.

3D Laser Mapping is a specialist in laser scanning solutions, the Riegl Premier Distributor for the UK, Ireland and sub-Saharan Africa and the leading distributor of TerraScan software. 3D Laser Mapping integrates laser scanner hardware systems with their own software and peripherals to create robust solutions for sectors such as mapping, mining and manufacturing.

Contact Dr Graham Hunter, 3D Laser Mapping Ltd, Email Contact
tel: +44 (0) 870 442 9400, www.3dlasermapping.com