Por: Iván Reyna López y Bregette Falcón Valdivia, Sample Solution, y Stefan Vollger, Rock Mapper.

Abstrac

Geological and geomechanical mapping in underground mine workings is a critical activity in mining operations, as it provides essential information for rock mass characterization, structural interpretation, and lithological identification.

Geological mapping enables the identification of contacts, structures, and rock types, while geomechanical mapping provides parameters that define rock mass stability and guide ground support decisions. Both processes are essential to ensuring worker safety, optimizing mine planning, and avoiding cost overruns associated with structural failures or incorrect designs.

Despite their importance, however, geological and geomechanical mapping in most underground mining operations in Peru is still carried out manually, using printed topographic plans, paper templates, and conventional tools. This traditional approach has significant limitations in terms of accuracy, speed, traceability, and standardization. It also exposes personnel to unnecessary risks by prolonging their time in potentially unstable areas. In a global context oriented toward digitalization, the adoption of technologies that can effectively transform these processes has become an urgent priority.

In this context, this technical paper presents Rock Mapper, a digital solution in the form of a mobile application developed for iPad Pro devices that integrates LiDAR technology to capture three-dimensional models of underground mine workings in real time. This tool enables geological and geomechanical mapping to be performed directly on the scanned 3D model, offering high accuracy (±3 cm), speed, and options for georeferencing, structural analysis, rock mass classification (Barton’s Q-system and RMR 89), sampling records, and automatic report generation.

 Today, Rock Mapper has already been implemented in several underground mining operations in Peru, demonstrating substantial improvements in mapping efficiency, higher quality of the data collected, and a significant reduction in personnel exposure time in unsupported areas.

This technical paper concludes that Rock Mapper represents not only a viable technological solution but also a comprehensive and adaptable tool that addresses the current needs of the mining sector. Its adoption directly contributes to improving geological and geotechnical decision-making, reducing operating costs, raising safety standards, and advancing toward smarter, more connected mining.