Maptek and IT Experts LLC have delivered an I-Site 8200 3D laser scanning system to Thiess for the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project in Mongolia’s South Gobi Desert. Thiess, in joint venture with local contractor Khishig Arvin, is delivering the boxcut and decline project from August 2016. The boxcut will provide a safe and secure entrance for the underground tunnels and conveyors expanding over 10 km at depths of up to 1,300 m. The twin declines provide up to 395 m of vertical lift with a maximum gradient of 18%. The conveyor to surface declines consist of 16.6 km of drifts and 35,000 m3 of large excavations to house the required conveyor transfer and drive stations. Oyu Tolgoi is jointly owned by the Government of Mongolia (34%) and Turquoise Resources (66%, of which Rio Tinto owns 51%). Rio Tinto has managed the Oyu Tolgoi project since 2010.
Maptek I-Site laser scanners are safe, portable and versatile. The I-Site 8200 system is suited to underground drive mapping and above ground survey applications. Thiess will also use I-Site Studio software with conformance reporting.
