An integrated Locata & Leica Geosystems Positioning System for Open-cut Mining Applications

J. Barnes, J. Lamance, B. Lilly, I. Rogers, M. Nix and A. Balls DeBeers

Abstract:	Open-cut mining techniques have come to rely heavily on GNSS technology as a critical input into machine control systems. However, as open-cut mines get deeper the visibility to GNSS satellites is greatly reduced, and therefore reducing the effectiveness of GNSS positioning systems placed on mining equipment. Locata and Leica have been working together to develop a solution to this problem using Locata’s ground-based positioning technology. During late 2006 through to early 2007 the first integrated Leica and Locata equipment was installed and tested at a major open-cut mine in South Africa. A backpack, dozer and drill system were equipped with integrated Leica/Locata positioning technology. This paper will discuss the design and installation of the first “real-world” open-cut mine trial of Locata enabled technology, and present results and analysis demonstrating the performance of the proof-of-concept Leica/Locata mining systems.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2007) September 25 - 28, 2007 Fort Worth Convention Center Fort Worth, TX
Pages:	1661 - 1668
Cite this article:	Barnes, J., Lamance, J., Lilly, B., Rogers, I., Nix, M., DeBeers, A. Balls, "An integrated Locata & Leica Geosystems Positioning System for Open-cut Mining Applications," Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2007), Fort Worth, TX, September 2007, pp. 1661-1668.
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