The Mining Technology Division (MTD) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) moved to enhance its capability in conducting rapid, but highly reliable, measurement of stockpile volumes with the conduct of a four-day hands-on training on “Modern Techniques of Volume Estimation.”
Measuring stockpile volumes is vital in the validation and valuation of mineral ores for shipment, and in the investigation of complaints and conflicts in the mining industry.
Included in the training were the basic operational procedures on the use of Range Finder, Real Time Kinematics (RTK), and 3D Laser Scanner, including their respective computer software, in the volumetric measurement of mineral/ore stockpile materials. It also involved the on-going procurement of at least two additional units of RTK and 15 units of Range Finder (with data recorder).
Best practices on the applications of said modern technology in the mining industry were also discussed, as well as the sharing of MTD’s experiences in field investigations and validations.
This activity is in line with the President’s directive during his second State of the Nation Address to properly monitor mining operations and maximize the collection of taxes that can be derived from the utilization of the nation's mineral wealth.
Technical personnel from the MGB Central Office and different Regional Offices participated in the training. It was held from September 26 - 29, 2017 at the ICON Hotel, Edsa, Quezon City.
By: Mining Technology Division
Training participants together with MGB Acting Dir. Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano (seated, center) and Acting Asst. Dir. Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng (2nd row, center)
Training participants listen intently as resource speakers introduce the RTK Equipment
Participants prepare to traverse a hill in Montalban, Rizal to simulate actual data gathering of a stockpile profile using the RTK equipment
Downloading of data obtained from a simulated stockpile topographic survey of a hill in Montalban, Rizal from the controller of the RTK equipment
Participants observing the sophisticated features of the 3D scanner