Episode Details

Robots Capable of Mapping Any Mine Including Those Under Water -Interview with Richard Papp

Episode 164 Published 4 years, 9 months ago

Description

In this episode, we chat with Richard Papp, Managing Director at UNEXMIN Geo-Robotics, a company that is a private spin-off arising from the U-NEX-MIN project and that has the IP of the robotic platform they have produced.

The company is pioneering surveying solutions for flooded environments. During the podcast, Richard, who has a background in geology and geophysics, is going to talk about the exciting and innovative advances they are making in geo-robotics. Including, how this can be used in the mining sector in both underground and open-pit mines. Providing solutions for areas of any type of mine that are under water.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Submersibles makes it possible to explore and assess flooded mines.
In the EU alone there are 30,000+ closed mines. Many of which have since flooded, so the potential market for UNEXMIN is huge.
Many of these mines have the potential to be re-opened using new technology.
The rising demand for most metals and minerals is pushing the price up making resurrecting old mines viable and desirable.
The robots are fitted with multiple systems which makes them robust, highly manoeuvrable, precise, and easy to direct accurately.
Robots can dive in places humans can´t.
There are several other markets outside of mining for these diving and exploring robots.
The robots can also be used for water and chemical sampling.
They can create 3D maps of any mining facility, tunnel, or cave.
When specialist cameras are used it is possible to detect what minerals are left in the mine.
Rock sampling capabilities are also in development.
The robots can be used in any kind of water. But there are some temperature limitations.
The robot is modular, which makes it versatile and enables users to choose what type of information they collect.