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Before advances in underground surveying using 3D scanning technology, inspecting and mapping subsurface facilities was time-consuming, costly, and hazardous. Surveying mines is notoriously tricky, but today’s LiDAR, photogrammetry, and georeferencing tools paired with state-of-the-art software are capable of producing a phenomenal array of maps and models designed to tackle almost any underground conundrum in near real-time. Watching a video of a 3D tunnel scan is mesmerizing.

Exactly like the name sounds, an as-built survey is an accurate visual rendering showing a completed construction or engineering project. Today’s laser scanning makes the process fast, efficient, and affordable and will even save money in the long run. Cost reduction is so significant, in fact, the U.S. government General Services Administration (GSA) now requires building information models (BIM) to provide clash detection on every government construction project.

Innovations in mine surveying made possible by state-of-the-art survey technologies have revolutionized mine design and development, environmental and safety monitoring, and volumetric calculation.

Hyperspectral imaging, also known as imaging spectroscopy, refers to the gathering and processing of data from across the vast electromagnetic spectrum.

Modern aerial LiDAR equipment mounted on UAVs makes possible the collection of high resolution elevation data used to create 3D models of objects, detailed Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs).

A lot of terms relating to modern surveying technology get muddled: 3D drone scanning, LiDAR scanning, UAV surveying, photogrammetry, etc.

After much waiting, LiDAR’s day has finally come, and we have an array of software platforms powerful enough to handle the huge amounts of data generated by LiDAR scans.