Post-Seismic Underground Mapping for Mine Damage Assessment: Transforming Safety and Efficiency with Emesent Hovermap

On May 17, 2020, the LKAB Kiruna Mine, the world’s largest underground iron ore mine, suffered a seismic event that caused significant ground collapse. Traditional manual inspections, being labor-intensive, time-consuming, and hazardous, were unsuitable for addressing the challenges posed by this event. Swedish remote sensing specialist AMKVO was contracted to deploy Emesent Hovermap, mounted on a DJI M210 drone or handheld, to safely and efficiently map the damage at a depth of 1,236 meters.

The four-day operation yielded over 30 high-precision scans of collapsed tunnels, ventilation systems, and damaged infrastructure, despite harsh conditions including low visibility and dust. The Hovermap’s advanced SLAM technology provided accurate data, even in the most challenging scenarios. The collected data was immediately analyzed to inform remediation strategies, ensuring minimal disruption to mine operations while prioritizing safety and preparedness for future operations.