Gaming Technology Brings 3D and VR Data Visualisation to Mining Industry

Mining technology developer Maptek and augmented reality experts LlamaZOO are teaming up together to bring digital twinning and advanced 3D data visualisation to the mining industry. LlamaZOO Interactive is an award-winning software studio developing 3D interactive data visualisation solutions for enterprise and industry 4.0. LlamaZOO specialises in centralising disparate spatial datasets and making the information actionable for all stakeholders through real-time engaging 3D and VR/AR.

Maptek stakeholders within customer networks will be able to interact with their spatial data in high-resolution 3D, in a format typically only seen with high-end video games, but with actionable real-world data.

Imagine viewing live data, such as trucks and shovels, loaded train cars and material stockpiles, in real time. Displaying real-time grade control data over scheduling activities provides critical information in context, said Maptek core technologies product manager Chris Green. Live and interactive simulation of scenarios via a digital twin of the real mining environment can provide surprising insights. It is virtually a risk-free mode for decision-making, he added.

Life-sized virtual replica

LlamaZOO leverages developing and creating compelling, interactive 3D experiences from the gaming industry to solve real-world problems for innovative companies. LlamaZOO MineLife VR fuses complex geospatial and mine planning data with IoT data into an interactive, life-sized virtual replica of the planned, current and future states of a mine site.

Users can explore an entire operation from source to port or facility, see hypothetical scenarios and real-time data, create a variety of presentation media such as 360-degree images, flight paths and export these to other more traditional media access points such as web, said LlamaZOO CEO, Charles Lavigne.

Integrating this capability with the artificial intelligence and machine learning development Maptek is already undertaking, synthesises digital data into a powerful, enterprise-level solution, Green concluded.