Rapidly responding to a collapsed mine with autonomous Artec Jet LiDAR mapping

Dense point cloud data captured with Artec Jet at the collapsed mine

In the world of mining, structural collapse is pretty much a worst-case scenario. Whenever ground gives way, it potentially puts miners at risk – and it often leads to site closure.

Once miners are all accounted for, it’s time for the real recovery operation to begin. Limited visibility often means it’s difficult to assess conditions in real time. Ventilation may also be blocked, and a further collapse could be imminent, so sending staff to check is impossible.

At a site in the US, one operator recently faced ground collapse, so traditional inspection was completely off the table. The mine was highly unstable, with ongoing rockfalls. Their choices were further limited by tight access points and flooding. The underground nature of the mine also meant there was no GPS. Planning a response was therefore incredibly difficult.

At this point, they reached out to a leading industrial service provider. They equipped mine operators with an Artec Jet SLAM-based LiDAR system. While the device is usable by hand, backpack, vehicle, protective cage, telescopic pole, or via robotic integration, drone deployment was chosen on this occasion to take advantage of Jet’s autonomous surveying capabilities.

Ideal for navigating difficult-to-access areas with zero risk – this approach enabled the team to capture the detailed mapping data required to organize a rapid response.

Close-up of a color-enhanced point cloud of an underground room and pillar structure

Mission-critical autonomous navigation

When Artec Jet arrived on-site, it faced numerous challenges that would ground many other drone-mounted solutions. With complete GPS denial and signal drops beyond 110 yards (100 meters), the device would need to rely entirely on internal guidance to survive. It would also have to maneuver through tight access points with as little as 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) of clearance.

But as it turned out, Artec Jet was more than up to the challenge. Operating entirely without GNSS assistance, the system utilized real-time SLAM-based LiDAR to navigate narrow intersections and avoid obstacles while maintaining position. Working beyond communication range for 20 minutes, real-time autonomous decision-making was vital to mission success.

Within 48 hours of the emergency call, Artec Jet had successfully mapped the entire 22-acre (9-hectare) collapse zone at a speed of nearly two million points per second. The resulting dense 3D point cloud revealed the condition of surrounding pillars, signs of water impoundment contributing to instability, and safe access routes for future recovery operations.

Pairing LiDAR with 360-degree camera footage also provided visual context and precise spatial data without anyone having to enter hazardous areas. With over 40 feet (12 meters) of water, hanging rocks still in the process of collapsing, and pitch-dark conditions, a human pilot would’ve struggled to navigate the mine anyway – autonomous mapping was the only viable solution.

Real-time feedback being streamed in first-person during drone flight

Gathering actionable intelligence

The value of Artec Jet’s emergency scans was amplified further when the team discovered historical LiDAR data of the same mine captured a year prior. Overlaying the new scans with this baseline data allowed engineers to perform a precise change detection analysis to see exactly how the ground had degraded over time – despite continuous visible checks.

It was discovered that a few years earlier, another ground collapse had caused “hourglassing” in the mine’s pillars. LiDAR data also revealed that water from a nearby farmer’s field had been channeling into the collapsed zone for an extended period. This concentrated flow contributed to the gradual weakening of surrounding limestone, eventually leading to surface collapse.

This “hidden value” of Artec Jet shifted this operation from reactive documentation to proactive forensic engineering. Understanding the exact factors that contributed to the failure, such as water impoundment and progressive pillar deformation, allowed the mine operator to make data-driven decisions about future site safety and reopen as quickly as possible.

Without a pilot-free mapping solution, it wouldn’t have been possible to gain the data needed for this analysis in the first place. So, mounting Artec Jet to a drone, then activating its smart waypoint-guided autonomous mapping mode to avoid obstacles in the collapsed mineshaft was the only way of quickly, accurately surveying the scene with zero risk to personnel.

A site point cloud visualization, captured at high speed with Artec Jet

Proactive mapping with Artec Jet

Following the incident, the mine operator recognized that the Artec Jet was not just an emergency tool, but a critical component of their safety infrastructure. The company invested in its own system and implemented a rigorous scanning schedule, initially weekly, then monthly, to monitor ground conditions as they stabilized. This proactive approach allows them to establish new baseline conditions and identify any signs of renewed instability immediately.

Ultimately, prevention is better than any cure. While Artec Jet excels at rapid deployment during a crisis, its greatest value lies in the data it gathers during routine operations. By helping prevent tragedies rather than just documenting them, autonomous 3D mapping is redefining how the industry manages risk – and bringing geotechnical analysis to new areas.

With a range of 328 yards (300 meters) and seven distinct modes, Artec Jet can be deployed to capture large areas with up to 0.2″ (5 mm) accuracy. Whether used in mining, public safety, or construction, the device delivers detailed data, indispensable to inspection in challenging environments.

Interested in discovering more about SLAM LiDAR mapping? Explore our Artec Jet webpage, or contact sales@artec3d.com to find out how the technology can address your specific needs.