CA2897043C - Method and system for performing an assessment of a mine face - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system for performing an assessment of a mine face is disclosed. The method involves receiving reflected laser signals representing reflections from a plurality of points on the mine face that have been illuminated by a laser, processing the reflected laser signals to generate three dimensional locations of the plurality of points, and identifying at least one region within the 3D locations associated with reflected laser signals that meet a reflectance criterion. The method also involves receiving spectral image data representing images of the mine face, the spectral image data including data captured for least one wavelength other than a wavelength associated with the laser illumination of the plurality of points. The method further involves identifying portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region, and generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region based on the spectral image data corresponding to the region.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING AN ASSESSMENT OF A MINE FACE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention [0001] This invention relates generally to performing geological assessments of a mine face.

2. Description of Related Art [0002] Economical exploitation of mineral reserves in a mine relies on assessments of geological constitutions of strata of portions of the mine being excavated.
Such assessments may be made by geologists or mining engineers based on observation and/or experience and may result in a mine map being developed showing the economic potential of various regions of the mine. For actively exploited resources, access to the face may be limited due to safety concerns or logistical constraints thus preventing timely and consistent updating of the mine map. Accordingly, there remains a need for methods, apparatus, and systems for performing assessments of mine faces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for performing an assessment of a mine face. The method involves receiving reflected laser signals representing reflections from plurality of points on the mine face that have been illuminated by a laser, and processing the reflected laser signals to determine three dimensional (3D) locations of the plurality of points. The method also involves identifying at least one region within the 3D locations associated with reflected laser signals that meet a reflectance criterion. The method further involves receiving spectral image data representing images of the mine face, the spectral image data including data captured for at least one wavelength other than a wavelength associated with the laser illumination of the plurality of points, and identifying portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region. The method also involves generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region based on the spectral image data corresponding to the region.

[0004] The reflectance criterion may include an intensity of reflected laser illumination from the mine face.

[0005] Identifying the at least one region that meets the reflectance criterion may involve identifying at least one region within the 3D locations associated with reflected laser signals that fall within a range of reflected light intensity values.

[0006] Receiving the reflected laser signals may involve receiving reflected laser signals at a laser light detector and the laser and the laser light detector may be disposed on at least one of a stationary platform proximate the mine face, a moving vehicle, or mining equipment operable to excavate the mine face.

[0007] The laser may produce illumination having a wavelength in the infrared light spectrum.

[0008] The laser may produce illumination having a wavelength of about 1.5 pm.

[0009] Receiving reflected laser signals representing reflections from the plurality of points on the mine face may involve receiving data generated by a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) transceiver system.

[0010] The method may involve displaying an image of the mine face including a representation of the at least one region.

[0011] The method may involve determining a proportion between an extent of regions on the mine face having a common geological property and an extent of the mine face.

[0012] The regions on the mine face having the common geological property may be associated with a product and the method may further involve comparing the proportion to a threshold proportion and producing an indication as to whether or not the mine face includes a sufficient proportion of the product for economic recovery.

[0013] Identifying portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region may involve identifying features in the 3D locations of the plurality of points that correspond to features in the spectral image data and using the identified features to determine a correspondence between the 3D locations of the laser illuminated plurality of points and the spectral image data.

[0014] Identifying features may involve performing an image processing operation on the 3D locations of the plurality of points and the spectral image data.

[0015] Generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region may involve comparing spectral data within the at least one region to reference spectra for expected geological constitutions of strata of the mine face to select a closest match between the spectral data for the at least one region and the reference spectral data, and assigning geological properties associated with the selected reference spectra to the at least one region.

[0016] Receiving spectral image data may involve receiving spectral image data from a multi-spectral image sensor.

[0017] Receiving spectral image data may involve receiving spectral image data from a hyper-spectral image sensor.

[0018] The image sensor may be disposed on at least one of a stationary platform proximate the mine face, a moving vehicle, or mining equipment operable to excavate the mine face.

[0019] Receiving reflected laser signals and receiving spectral image data may involve receiving reflected laser signals and receiving spectral image data representing a mine face that has been partially excavated to reveal geological features of the mine face.

[0020] Generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region may involve generating data indicative of one of a mudstone region, a sand region, or hydrocarbon concentrations in regions of the mine face.

[0021] The method may involve using the data representing geological properties of the mine face to update a portion of a resource map of the mine.

[0022] The method may involve using the data representing geological properties of the at least one region to predict geological properties of a proximately located reservoir.

[0023] The reservoir may include a subsurface reservoir.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for performing a geological assessment. The method involves receiving reflected laser signals representing reflections from a plurality of points on a mine face that have been illuminated by a laser, processing the reflected laser signals to determine 3D
locations of the plurality of points, and identifying at least one region within the 3D
locations associated with reflected laser signals that meet a reflectance criterion. The method also involves receiving spectral image data representing images of the mine face captured at a wavelength other than a wavelength associated with the laser illumination of the plurality of points. The method further involves identifying portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region, generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region based on the spectral image data corresponding to the region, and using the data representing geological properties of the at least one region to predict geological properties of a proximately located reservoir.

[0025] The reservoir may include a subsurface reservoir.

[0026] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a system for performing an assessment of a mine face. The system includes a laser transceiver for generating reflected laser signals representing reflections from a plurality of points on the mine face that have been illuminated by the laser, and a processor circuit operable to process the reflected laser signals to determine 3D locations of the plurality of points. The processor circuit is also operable to identify at least one region within the 3D locations associated with reflected laser signals that meet a reflectance criterion.

The system also includes a spectral imager for generating spectral image data representing images of the mine face captured at a wavelength other than a wavelength associated with the laser illumination of the plurality of points. The processor circuit is further operable to identify portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region, and generate data representing geological properties of the at least one region based on the spectral image data corresponding to the region.

[0027] Certain implementations may have one or more of the following advantages.
The combination of reflected laser signals and spectral image data provides an assessment of the geological properties of a mine face at high resolution. The use of the laser to illuminate the points on the mine face permits the assessment to take place under a variety of conditions, including conditions of bright sunlight, since a laser has high luminance and provides a small intense area of collimated illumination.
The laser illumination also may enhance the signal to noise ratio when detecting reflected light and regions on the mine face may thus be precisely resolved. The assessment may also be performed at a distance from the mine face avoiding the need to bring personnel and equipment into close proximity to the mine face, which may be unstable and dangerous.

[0028] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

-.6-BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention,

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention for performing an assessment of a mine face;

[0031] Figure 2 is a process flowchart depicting blocks of code for directing a processor circuit shown in Figure 1 to perform an assessment of the mine face;

[0032] Figure 3 is a representation of the mine face produced by the system shown in Figure 1;

[0033] Figure 4 is a graph of typical spectra for an 8% heavy hydrocarbon/sand mixture;

[0034] Figure 5 are examples of a 3D point cloud and a spectral image produced by the system shown in Figure 1; and

[0035] Figure 6 is a process flowchart depicting blocks of code for directing a processor circuit shown in Figure 1 to determine 3D point locations of a mine face.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Implementations of the invention for performing an assessment of a mine face involve using reflected laser signals from the mine face to determine 3D
locations of points on the mine face. A region within the 3D locations is identified based on a criterion associated with the reflected laser signals. A spectral imager operating in wavelength range other than a wavelength associated with the laser is used to obtain spectral image data of the mine face. Portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the region identified by the laser are used to identify geological properties of the region. The use of reflected laser signals facilitates precise identification of the region while the spectral data provides the associated geological properties of the region.

[0037] In one implementation, the mine face can include bitumen sandstone and the identified regions can correspond to portions of the mine face that have a significant bitumen product content. Spectral images that are consistent with bitumen bearing strata are used to identify regions and the geological property data can be assessed based on a bitumen content threshold that is viable for economic recovery of the bitumen product when the mine face is excavated. For example, uneconomic regions such as mud, which can have a low proportion of bitumen product can not be excavated or can be separated from an ore feed that will be processed to extract the product.

[0038] The process can be implemented in real time, to provide an indication to operators of excavating and/or processing equipment of the economic potential of the excavated ore. Alternatively, the geological data can be acquired and then processed later.

[0039] Referring to Figure 1, a schematic depiction of a system for performing an assessment of a mine face 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 102. The system 102 includes a laser transceiver 104 for generating reflected laser signals representing reflections from a plurality of points on the mine face. The laser transceiver 104 includes a laser source 120 that generates a laser beam 122, which impinges on the mine face 100. The mine face 100 reflects the laser beam back to the transceiver 104 producing the reflected laser signals.
In one embodiment the laser beam 122 can have a wavelength in the infrared, for example in the region of 1.5 pm. The laser beam 122 impinges on a scanning element 124, which in this embodiment is implemented as a rotating polygon mirror having multiple facets that cause the laser beam 122 to be angularly deflected through a window 126 to generate a laser beam 123 that scans across the mine face 100 illuminating a plurality of points. In other embodiments the scanning element 124 can be implemented using a moveable mirror or other laser bean scanning device.

[0040] In Figure 1, the laser beam 123 is shown impinging on the mine face 100 at a point 112, which reflects light back from the mine face as a plurality of scattered beams of light 128. The scanning element 124 can be operated to scan the laser beam across the mine face 100 at a high scanning rate illuminating a large plurality of points every second. For example, in one embodiment the scanning rate of the scanning element 124 can be selected to illuminate several hundred thousand points per second.
In this embodiment, the scanning element 124 includes an encoder that generates a rotary position signal for determining an instantaneous angular position of the scanning element.

[0041] The laser transceiver 104 also includes a detector 132 and a lens 134. The lens 134 captures a portion of the plurality of scattered beams of light 128 and directs the light beams to the detector 132. In Figure 1 two light beams 130 of the scattered light beams 128 are shown as being captured by the lens 134. The detector 132 is configured to generate a signal representing an overall intensity of the reflected laser light beams 130 captured by the lens 134. The laser transceiver 104 also includes an interface 114, which is in communication the detector 132 for receiving and conditioning the laser reflectivity signals generated by the detector. The interface 114 also has a data input/output port 116, and is operable to encode signals in a digital format and produce a data output signal at the port 116 including the reflected laser intensity. In this embodiment, the interface 114 is further in communication with the scanning element 124 for receiving the rotary position signal. The data input/output port 116 can be implemented as an Ethernet port, USB port, or other communications port for carrying commands to the laser transceiver 104 and for receiving data from the laser transceiver.

[0042] It should be noted that in the schematic depiction in Figure 1, the distance between the point 112 on the mine face 100 and the laser transceiver 104 has been reduced for illustrative convenience. A typical distance between the laser transceiver 104 and the mine face 100 would be upward of 30 meters, while the lens 134 and detector 132 would generally be located close to the window 126.

[0043] The system 102 also includes a processor circuit 106 operable to receive the data signals produced at the output port 116 of the laser transceiver 104. The processor circuit 106 can include a microprocessor 150, a program memory 152, a variable memory 154, and an interface 140, all of which are in communication with the microprocessor 150. The program memory 152 stores program codes for directing the microprocessor 150 to carry out various functions and the variable memory 154 includes a plurality of storage locations for storing 3D point data and other data generated during operation of the system 102. The interface 140 has an input 142 for receiving data signals from the output port 116 of the laser transceiver 104.
The interface 140 can be implemented as an Ethernet interface, USB interface, or other suitable data interface. In one embodiment, the processor circuit 106 can be an embedded processor circuit within the laser transceiver 104. In other embodiments, the processor circuit 106 can be implemented using a stand-alone computer such as a general purpose laptop computer.

[0044] The system 102 also includes a position sensor 110 for receiving position information identifying a position and orientation of the laser source. For example the position sensor 110 can include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver 180 for receiving GPS position signals from GPS satellites. The GPS position signals facilitate determination of a real-time position of the system 102 within a geodetic coordinate system 172. The processor circuit 106 also includes an input 146 for receiving the position signal produced by the position sensor 110.

[0045] The system 102 also includes an orientation sensor 182, which can include a combination of orientation sensors such as magnetometers, accelerometers and gyroscopic sensors for producing directional information identifying an orientation of the system 102. The directional information provided by the orientation sensor 182 facilitates determination of an azimuth and attitude of the laser beam 122 produced by the laser source 120. The processor circuit 106 also includes an input 148 for receiving the orientation signals produced by the orientation sensor 182.

[0046] In one embodiment the laser transceiver 104 can be implemented using a LIDAR scanner such as the RIEGL VMX-250 mobile scanner manufactured by RIEGL
Laser Measurement Systems GmbH, Austria. The RIEGL laser transceiver uses a pulsed 1550 nm laser beam to generate scan data including range (i.e. time of flight), amplitude or intensity, and timestamp data. The RIEGL transceiver can be configured to generate and store the data locally in a memory of the transceiver or to transmit the data to a laptop via a TCP/IP Ethernet Interface.

[0047] The laser transceiver 104 can be disposed on a moving platform such as a vehicle and the reflected laser signals can be generated while the vehicle is being driven around the mine in range of the mine face 100. In other embodiments the laser transceiver 104 can be disposed at one or more fixed locations within range of the mine face 100 for receiving the reflected laser signals. Alternatively, the laser transceiver 104 can be disposed on mining equipment such as a mining shovel and the reflected laser signals can be generated while the shovel is excavating the mine face 100.

[0048] The system 102 further includes a spectral imager 108 for receiving spectral image data representing images of the mine face 100. The spectral imager 108 includes a detector 160 and collecting lens 162 configured to capture spectral image data at a specific wavelength or at a plurality of different wavelengths. In one embodiment the detector 160 is sensitive to at least one wavelength other than the wavelength of the laser beam 122. The spectral imager 108 is oriented to provide spectral images of the same general region of the mine face 100 being scanned by the laser transceiver 104.

[0049] In one embodiment the spectral imager 108 can be a multi-spectral imager operable to generate spectral images at several wavelengths, such as for example 1600, 1750, and 2125 nm for the example of bitumen sandstone. In other embodiment the spectral imager 108 can be a hyper-spectral imager operable to generate a spectrum over a continuous range of wavelengths, such as shown in Figure 4 at 400.
The spectral imager 108 includes a data output 164 for generating signals representing the spectral images captured by the spectral imager. The data output 164 of the spectral imager 108 is in communication with an input 144 of the interface 140 of the processor circuit 106 for transmitting the spectral image data to the processor circuit for further processing.

,

[0050] Referring to Figure 2, a flowchart depicting blocks of code for directing the processor circuit 106 to perform an assessment of the mine face 100 is shown generally at 200. The blocks generally represent codes that can be read from the program memory 152 for directing the microprocessor 150 to perform various functions related to assessing the mine face 100. The actual code to implement each block can be written in any suitable program language, such as C, C++ and/or assembly code, for example.

[0051] The process 200 begins at block 202, which directs the microprocessor 150 to receive the reflected laser signals and the rotary encoder position signals from the laser transceiver 104 at the input 142 of the interface 140. In this embodiment, block 202 also directs the microprocessor 150 to receive position and orientation signals at the inputs 146 and 148.

[0052] Block 204 then directs the microprocessor 150 to process the reflected laser signals to determine 3D locations of the plurality of points. In one embodiment the system 102 generates a point cloud including 3D coordinates for a large plurality of points on the mine face 100, each 3D coordinate having an associated reflected intensity. Referring to Figure 3, a representation of the mine face 100 is shown generally at 300 and includes a polygon mesh 302, in which individual polygons have vertices corresponding to the plurality of 3D coordinates of points on the mine face 100.
The polygon mesh 302 provides a visual two dimensional (2D) rendering of the shape of the mine face 100.

[0053] A process for implementing block 204 of the process 200 is shown in greater detail in Figure 6 at 600. Referring to Figure 6, the process 600 begins at block 602, which directs the microprocessor 150 to determine the time of flight for travel of the laser beam 123 from the laser transceiver 104 to the mine face 100 and back to a laser light detector 132. In one embodiment the laser transceiver 104 uses a pulsed laser beam and the laser transceiver includes timing circuitry operable to determine the time of flight for the laser beam by identifying a shift between laser beam pulses transmitted by the laser source 120 and pulses received at the detector 132. The determined time of flight can then be converted into a range or distance between the laser transceiver 104 and the point 112 on the mine face 100 by multiplying the time of flight by the speed of light. The data signal produced at the output port 116 can thus include the time of flight data and/or range data derived from the time of flight data.

[0054] Block 604 then directs the microprocessor 150 to determine the azimuth and attitude of the laser beam 123. In one embodiment this involves reading the directional information received at the input 148 from the orientation sensor 182 to determine an orientation of the laser transceiver 104 and reading the rotary encoder signal to determine the orientation of the scanning element 124. The orientation of the scanning element 124 together with the orientation of the laser transceiver 104 provides the azimuth and attitude of the laser beam 123 with respect to the laser transceiver 104 for the point 112 on the mine face 100.

[0055] Block 606 then directs the microprocessor 150 to calculate the local X, Y, and Z coordinates of the point 112. Taking the location of the laser transceiver 104 as the origin of the local X, Y, and Z coordinate system 170, the range, attitude, and azimuth provide sufficient information to calculate the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the point 112.

[0056] Block 608 then directs the microprocessor 150 to transform the local X, Y, and Z coordinates into world coordinates using the geodetic position information received at the input 146. The position information provides the location of the laser transceiver 104 and the local X, Y, and Z coordinate system 170 with respect to the world geodetic coordinate system 172.

[0057] Referring back to Figure 2, the process 200 then continues at block 206, which directs the microprocessor 150 to identify at least one region within the 3D
locations associated with reflected laser signals that meet a reflectance criterion. In general the mine face 100 can include strata having different geological constitutions, such as sand, mudstone, limestone. In embodiments where the mine is an oil sands mine, the sand can further include hydrocarbon products in the form of bitumen, for example. The reflected intensity associated with each determined 3D coordinate U, V, and W provides one possible reflectivity criterion for segmenting the mine face 100 into , reflectivity regions that produce reflected laser signals falling within a range of reflected light intensity values. The reflectivity ranges can be calculated from a set of pre-determined normalized ranges each being associated with a specific geological stratum.
The normalized ranges can be based on prior measurements of the mine face 100 or similar mine faces or other information such as a geological assessment of the mine face or similar mine faces. Reflected intensity values can vary widely depending on the environmental conditions, the presence of water, snow or ice, fog, precipitation etc.
Reflectivity ranges for a specific set of measurement conditions can be generated by establishing an actual range of reflected intensity values for a scan of a mine face 100, which can then be used to scale a set of pre-determined normalized ranges to correspond with the actual reflected intensity values.

[0058] Referring to Figure 3, three regions 306, 308 and 310 associated with respective reflectivity ranges are shown in Figure 3. For example, the region 306 can have reflectivity falling within a range corresponding to a mudstone, the region 308 can have reflectivity falling within a range corresponding to sand and/or hydrocarbon saturated sandstone, and the region 310 can have reflectivity falling within a range corresponding to clay and/or mudstone. Other regions of the mine face 100 can be similarly identified.

[0059] One advantage of using the laser transceiver 104 of the system 102 to generate a 3D point cloud is that the scanning of the mine face 100 can be performed in bright sunlight, or even when there is very little ambient light since the laser beam provides illumination for points on the mine face 100. Furthermore, for each determined 3D point the laser beam provides a small intense area of collimated illumination, thus resulting in relatively intense reflections providing a high signal to noise ration at the detector 132. The possibility of recording a large number of measurements per second facilitates collection of a dense 3D point cloud representing the mine face 100, thus increasing resolution and facilitating averaging to reduce noise. The regions 306 ¨ 308 can thus be precisely resolved within the point cloud data and the boundaries of the regions can be determined at relatively high resolution. For example, the RIEGL VMX-250 mobile scanner is capable of generating more than 15 3D point locations per square meter at a 180 meter distance from the mine face 100 while traveling at 20 km/h, which corresponds to a 3D point spacing of less than about 0.25 meters between adjacent points.

[0060]
The process then continues at block 208, which directs the microprocessor 150 to receive spectral image data from the spectral imager 108. The spectral image data can be received at the input 144 of the processor circuit interface 140 in the form of a compressed JPEG image file including a plurality of image pixels, for example.
Referring to Figure 4, a graph of typical spectra for an 8% heavy hydrocarbon/sand mixture is shown generally at 400. The spectra 400 show that there is a relatively strong spectral reflectivity peak 402 at about 1600 nm, a peak absorption 404 at about 1750 nm and a further reflectivity peak 406 at about 2125 nm. Spectra for other strata in the mine face 100 can yield one or more spectral reflectivity and/or absorption features that would permit each stratum to be uniquely identified.

[0061]
Referring to Figure 5, by way of example a spectral image of a mine face is shown at 502. In this example, the spectral image 502 includes visible light wavelengths although in general the spectral image would include wavelengths outside of the visible band. A 3D point cloud generated for the same mine face in accordance with block 204 of the process 200 is shown at 500. A region 512 within the 3D
point cloud has been identified in accordance with the process described above in connection with block 206.

[0062]
Block 210 then directs the microprocessor 150 to identify portions of the spectral image data that correspond to one or more of the regions, such as the region 512 shown in Figure 5. In one embodiment, this involves comparing the spectral image data to the 3D point cloud data and determining scaling factors for overlaying the two sets of data. This can involve using an image processing function to identify corresponding features within the spectral image data and 3D point cloud data and then using these features to calculate transformation and scaling factors to cause the identified features in the respective images to line up. Image processing functions that use algorithms to detect and isolate features of an image are commonly available and can be customized to operate on data sets such as the spectral image data and point cloud data.

[0063] As an example the features 504 and 506 in the 3D point cloud image 500 appear to correspond to respective features 508 and 510 in the spectral image 502.
Pixel locations of the features 508 and 510 may then be used to calculate scaling factors for scaling the image 502 to match the scale of the 3D point cloud image 500 and to select a common origin for the images.

[0064]
The process then continues at block 212, which directs the microprocessor 150 to generate data representing geological properties of the region 512 based on the spectral image data corresponding to the region. In one embodiment, this involves reading the spectral data from the spectral image 502 that falls within the region (for example the region 512) and determining whether spectral features within the data correspond to reference spectral features associated with specific geological properties.
For the example of the spectra 400 shown in Figure 4, the reflectivity peak 402, peak absorption 404, and reflectivity peak 406 can be used as a reference data set for a heavy hydrocarbon/sand mixture. The features 402 ¨ 406 can be characterized by their respective wavelengths and relative magnitudes and can be stored in the variable memory 154 as reference spectral data sets. Similar reference spectral data sets can be generated for other geological properties.
Block 212 can then direct the microprocessor 150 to compare the spectra within the region 512 to the reference spectral data sets to determine whether a match can be found. If a match is found, then the geological property corresponding to the selected reference spectral data set is assigned to the region 512.

[0065]
The process 200 thus advantageously results in precise identification of at least one region of the mine face 100 and further associates the region with specific geological properties.

[0066]
The result of the assessment can be displayed as an image, such as the point cloud image 500 shown in Figure 5, with the region 512 being represented as a colored or shaded area to indicate the common geological property in the region. In another embodiment the extent of the region 512 can be used to produce an estimated proportion of the mine face 100 that has the common geological property and the assessment can be presented as a proportion (for example, a percentage value).
The proportion can be further compared to a threshold proportion associated with economic recovery of a product from the mine face 100 and presented as an indication to operator(s) of mining equipment for excavating the mine face as to whether or not the mine face includes a sufficient proportion of the product for economic recovery. This indication would have the advantage of providing an indication to the operators that would not require further interpretation or assessment.

[0067] In some embodiments, successive scans of the mine face 100 can be obtained while the mine face is being excavated thus providing successive assessments of the mine face and revealing an extent of regions such as the region 512 (shown in Figure 5). The successive scans would thus provide not only the extent of a region of interest along the mine face 100, but also the depth extent of the region into the mine face as excavation proceeds.

[0068] In another embodiment, the 3D point cloud data and geological properties of the mine face 100 can be used to predict geological properties of a proximately located resource such as a subsurface reservoir. When assessing a proposed subsurface reservoir, economic potential is generally estimated using geological information associated with the region and/or core samples extracted from the reservoir site.
However, it may not be viable to obtain sufficient core samples to adequately assess economic potential and in such cases an assessment of a mine face located proximate to the proposed subsurface reservoir can provide valuable additional information for assessing the reserve potential. In particular, information facilitating estimation of a proportion and extent of the mudstone within a region can be of significant value in assessing economic potential.

[0069] In yet another embodiment, the 3D point cloud data and geological properties of the mine face 100 can be used to update a 3D mine resource map associated with the mine.

[0070] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims (25)

What is claimed is:

1. A method for performing an assessment of a mine face, the method comprising:
receiving reflected laser signals representing reflections from a plurality of points on the mine face that have been illuminated by a laser;
processing the reflected laser signals to determine three dimensional (3D) locations of the plurality of points;
identifying at least one region within the 3D locations associated with reflected laser signals that meet a reflectance criterion associated with a geological stratum, whereby the at least one region is associated with the geological stratum;
receiving spectral image data representing images of the mine face, the spectral image data including data captured for at least one wavelength other than a wavelength associated with the laser illumination of the plurality of points;
identifying portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region based on an identification of spectral image data associated with the geological stratum; and generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region based on the spectral image data corresponding to the region.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the reflectance criterion comprises an intensity of reflected laser illumination from the mine face.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the at least one region that meets the reflectance criterion comprises identifying at least one region within the 3D

locations associated with reflected laser signals that fall within a range of reflected light intensity values.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the reflected laser signals comprises receiving reflected laser signals at a laser light detector and wherein the laser and the laser light detector are disposed on at least one of:
a stationary platform proximate the mine face;
a moving vehicle; or mining equipment operable to excavate the mine face.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser produces illumination having a wavelength in the infrared light spectrum.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser produces illumination having a wavelength of about 1.5 µm.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving reflected laser signals representing reflections from the plurality of points on the mine face comprises receiving data generated by a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) transceiver system.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying an image of the mine face including a representation of the at least one region.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a proportion between an extent of regions on the mine face having a common geological property and an extent of the mine face.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the regions on the mine face having the common geological property are associated with a product and further comprising comparing the proportion to a threshold proportion and producing an indication as to whether or not the mine face includes a sufficient proportion of the product for economic recovery.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region based on identification of spectral image data associated with the geological stratum comprises identifying features in the 3D locations of the plurality of points that correspond to features in the spectral image data associated with the geological stratum and using the identified features to determine a correspondence between the 3D locations of the plurality of points and the spectral image data.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein identifying features comprises performing an image processing operation on the 3D locations of the plurality of points and the spectral image data associated with the geological stratum.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region comprises comparing spectral data associated with the geological stratum within the at least one region to reference spectra for expected geological constitutions of strata of the mine face to select a closest match between the spectral data for the at least one region and the reference spectral data, and assigning geological properties associated with the selected reference spectra to the at least one region.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving spectral image data comprises receiving spectral image data from a multi-spectral image sensor.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving spectral image data comprises receiving spectral image data from a hyper-spectral image sensor.

16. The method of any one of claims 14 to 15 wherein the image sensor is disposed on at least one of:

a stationary platform proximate the mine face;
a moving vehicle; or mining equipment operable to excavate the mine face.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving reflected laser signals and receiving spectral image data comprises receiving reflected laser signals and receiving spectral image data representing a mine face that has been partially excavated to reveal geological features of the mine face.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region comprises generating data indicative of one of:
a mudstone region;
a sand region; or hydrocarbon concentrations in regions of the mine face.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising using the data representing geological properties of the mine face to update a portion of a resource map of the mine.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising using the data representing geological properties of the at least one region to predict geological properties of a proximately located reservoir.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the reservoir comprises a subsurface reservoir.

22. A method for performing a geological assessment, the method comprising:

receiving reflected laser signals representing reflections from a plurality of points on a mine face that have been illuminated by a laser;
processing the reflected laser signals to determine three dimensional (3D) locations of the plurality of points;
identifying at least one region within the 3D locations associated with reflected laser signals that meet a reflectance criterion;
receiving spectral image data representing images of the mine face captured for at least one wavelength other than a wavelength associated with the laser illumination of the plurality of points;
identifying portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region;
generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region based on the spectral image data corresponding to the region; and using the data representing geological properties of the at least one region to predict geological properties of a proximately located reservoir.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the reservoir comprises a subsurface reservoir.

24. A system for performing an assessment of a mine face, the system comprising:
a laser transceiver for generating reflected laser signals representing reflections from a plurality of points on the mine face that have been illuminated by the laser;
a processor circuit operable to:

process the reflected laser signals to determine three dimensional (3D) locations of the plurality of points;
identify at least one region within the 3D locations associated with reflected laser signals that meet a reflectance criterion associated with a geological stratum, whereby the at least one region is associated with the geological stratum;
a spectral imager for generating spectral image data representing images of the mine face captured at a wavelength other than a wavelength associated with the laser illumination of the plurality of points;
the processor circuit being further operable to:
identify portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region based on an identification of spectral image data associated with the geological stratum; and generate data representing geological properties of the at least one region based on the spectral image data corresponding to the region.

25. A method for performing a geological assessment, the method comprising:
receiving reflected laser signals representing reflections from a plurality of points on a mine face that have been illuminated by a laser;
processing the reflected laser signals to determine three dimensional (3D) locations of the plurality of points;
identifying at least one region within the 3D locations associated with reflected laser signals that meet a reflectance criterion associated with a geological stratum, whereby the at least one region is associated with the geological stratum;
receiving spectral image data representing images of the mine face captured for at least one wavelength other than a wavelength associated with the laser illumination of the plurality of points;
identifying portions of the spectral image data that correspond to the at least one region based on an identification of spectral image data associated with the geological stratum;
generating data representing geological properties of the at least one region based on the spectral image data corresponding to the region; and using the data representing geological properties of the at least one region to predict geological properties of a proximately located reservoir.