New Digital Mapping Tool Enhances Safety and Efficiency in the Field
SRK Consulting has officially launched HiveMap, a cutting-edge digital mapping and outcrop analysis software that enhances the speed, accuracy, and safety of geological data capture. Formerly known as EasyMineXR, HiveMap utilizes photogrammetry and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) scanning tools to enable geologists and geotechnical engineers to map rock exposures without facing the risks of traditional fieldwork.
Designed to operate in both surface and underground environments, HiveMap provides a safer alternative to conventional mapping practices, which often require close proximity to hazardous rock faces. According to SRK’s senior rock mechanics engineer Andrew LeRiche, the mining industry’s growing focus on safety has driven the need for solutions like HiveMap that reduce the risk to personnel while maintaining high standards of data accuracy.
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Enhanced Mapping Capabilities for Challenging Environments
HiveMap is particularly useful for mapping large-scale geological features, such as fault patterns and rock continuity in areas that are otherwise inaccessible. This includes mapping pit slopes and performing grassroots geological surveys in mountainous terrains—tasks that have traditionally posed significant challenges due to safety risks and difficult access.
“Conventional mapping practices required you to be up against or directly adjacent to the rock exposure, but the mining industry is now more risk-averse and prohibits proximity to hazardous areas,” LeRiche explained.
SRK principal structural geologist Findlay Fraser highlighted the operational benefits of HiveMap, noting that traditional mapping methods often involve expensive hardware and time-consuming data processing. “HiveMap, by comparison, is quick and easy to use, and allows mining operations to prioritize mapping,” Fraser said.
Bridging the Distance Between Field and Office
HiveMap also fosters collaboration between field teams and office-based technical staff. Using the software, observations captured on tablets in the field can be seamlessly transferred to laptops for further analysis and discussion with headquarters personnel, enabling more dynamic and informed decision-making.
“In an ideal world, we’d all go out and look at the outcrop, a pit wall, or a rock face, but that’s not always feasible,” Fraser stated. “HiveMap bridges that distance by bringing the rocks from the field to the office and allowing everyone to work together in a 3-D environment.”
The software leverages the latest advancements in data collection technology, including drones equipped with photogrammetry capabilities and iPhones with built-in LiDAR scanners. This technological shift has made it easier and more cost-effective to gather the detailed 3-D datasets needed for comprehensive geological analysis.
Empowering On-Site Teams with Real-Time Mapping
SRK consultants are frequently engaged by mining companies for field mapping, but these visits are often limited to once a year, resulting in lengthy gaps between updates to critical geological models. HiveMap addresses this issue by empowering on-site geotechnical engineers and grade control geologists to gather data, make observations, and update maps on a regular basis.
“It’s important that geotechnical engineers and grade control geologists on the ground are able to gather the information, make observations, and map on a daily basis if it’s a critical area, but at least weekly or monthly,” Fraser said. “With HiveMap, mine staff in the field are empowered to be able to gather information and map more easily and more regularly.”
Fraser emphasized that the mining industry’s expectations for the speed and accuracy of geological updates have significantly evolved, necessitating tools that keep pace. “If you want to operate safely, you need the most accurate and up-to-date representation of your geology possible,” Fraser said. “Similarly for grade control, if a geologist sees something is not right, it’s now possible using HiveMap to map the ore boundaries and update the model for optimal material routing on an expedited basis.”
A Future of Safer, Smarter Mapping
HiveMap represents a significant advancement in the way geological mapping is conducted in the mining industry. By reducing the need for proximity to dangerous rock faces and enhancing the ability to capture and analyze data quickly, HiveMap is set to play a critical role in the future of mining operations. As SRK Consulting continues to refine this powerful tool, HiveMap could become an essential component of modern mining, offering a safer, faster, and more accurate way to understand the earth’s complex geological structures.
