Military Drone Cameras Could Have A Huge Impact in Mining.
Imagine knowing the exact location of the needle in the haystack before having to go through the haystack?
Insane right?
Well, that is exactly how the Plotlogics camera works.
Plotlogic uses a hyper spectral camera to take detailed spectral photos, which have multiple uses in mining – material properties for a pit tech to use in an open pit to accurately plot ore zones, ore composition and on a conveyor belt in the process plant.
So, what is a hyper spectral camera anyway?
Before we get into the specifics about how a hyper spectral camera works, I need to take you back to your school days - year 9 science class. You will remember how to use a prism to see the composition of light (particles called photons) - the multiple colours of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
There are 7 basic properties of light:
· Reflection of light
· Refraction of light
· Diffraction of light
· Interference of light
· Polarization of light
· Dispersion of light
· Scattering of light
Spectral composition refers to the various wavelengths that are present in light and different light sources will have different spectral compositions. Humans can see the spectra emitted by the prism because those wavelengths stimulate the retina in our human eye.
Said another way, it is the wavelengths of light that characterizes individual objects, and our retinas that limit our ability to see a broader range of spectrum.
A hyper spectral (HS) image captures the full spectrum.
A HS image captures hundreds of thousands of spectra. The collected spectra are used to form an image. Each pixel will have hundreds of different colours within it, allowing for an overall image with a lot richer information.
The advantages of this type of imaging are summarized in 2 main categories:
1. The What: Different types of spectrum within each pixel.
2. The Where: The precise location of each spectrum within the pixel.
Using Hyper Spectral Imaging in Mining
By using the two main categories of hyper spectral images in ore sorting or general use in a processing circuit, the light characteristics of a particular ore type can be identified amongst crushed rock (each individual pixel) and the precise geolocation of that pixel is recorded.
In other words, the hyper spectral imaging enables highly accurate mapping of the ore to produce data (data cube), and then in turn, Plot Logic uses artificial intelligence (AI) to convert this data into information!
Another example from open pit mining would be using the data gathered from hyper spectral images of the rock profiles in the open cut. Plot Logics AI would then match across thousands of data points in the image to distinguish ore from waste rock with a degree of precision perhaps never seen before!
Furthermore, the location data from the pixels is an opportunity to target the highest quality ore after blasting for preferential loading (optimisation).
In terms of functionality, a ute has a HS camera mounted to it that can rapidly image the ore face as the excavator excavates. This product is called Ore Sense.
Optimisation and Operational Efficiency Opportunities
Precise ore location, accurate mining, greater recovery, reduction of waste and more accurate geological modelling. Will significantly improve yields for miners, reduce cost and decrease the environmental impact.
More About Plot Logic
Plot Logic has recently raised 7.5 million from Baidu Investments, DCVC, 8VC and Grid’s capital. They plan to triple the size of the R&D team in the coming years.
The team behind Plot Logic is more impressive than their tech:
Andrew Job is the CEO and founder. His background is mining engineering and he has a PHD in mechatronics and robotics.
Supporting Andrew are his two world class technology experts:
Dr Richard Murphy is the senior geologist and hyper spectral imaging expert.
Dr Mick Edgar is an expert in optical sensors and an experienced physicist.
Key Learnings
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) is taking on an even greater significance in light of recent events: companies have the responsibility and resources to accomplish positive climate action, building a more sustainable, resilient future and “putting money where their mouth is” [13 July 2021]
Developments in Australia’s corporate governance is already impacting the mining industry and many companies are looking towards technology breakthroughs to make the transition to the green economy. As one of the primary industries in Australia, the mining and extractive industry is at the intersection between aerospace, physics, software, data science, materials science, geology, and AI.
There can be no doubt that mining companies will become tech companies, who operate in the extraction industry, and not the other way around; just as Netflix is a tech company that operates in the entertainment industry.
This will pave the way for the extractive industry (mining) to pursue a global challenge of declining grades in all metal commodities.
Hyper spectral technology, first used in the military to determine targets, has the potential to be a technology enabler for the mining industry.
Other Industries Using HSI Technology
For others interested in this sort of technology, the use of this tech is applicable to so many other industries!
Check out the following:
Agriculture
In the next 10 years we are going to see farming yields double with the intersection between software, hardware, and biotechnology.
By simply placing a camera on a tractor and using current available technologies to take a photo of every single plant, you can maximise that individual plant’s growth and yield prospects - turns out that there is a company already doing this.
Gayama is a Swiss based start-up that uses a HS camera to notice slight changes to crop health. It can identify weed activity, potential diseases, and expect yields based on spectral bands.
Food Processing
Condi Food uses a HS camera to identify contaminates under certain layers as well detect ripeness and freshness of fruit.
Counterfeit Prescription Drugs
RXAll uses a HS camera to detect concentrations of harmful substances within medications. Using algorithms and AI they can benchmark this against genuine medications.
Resources
Plot Logic: https://www.plotlogic.com/
AFR Article: https://www.afr.com/technology/how-start-ups-really-spend-their-funds-20210803-p58ffi
Baidu Investment Thesis for Plot Logic: https://medium.com/baidu-ventures-blog/plotlogic-why-we-invested-b11a2f4d68a4
BHP Contract: https://im-mining.com/2020/04/30/plotlogic-raises-profile-funds-bhp-iron-ore-contract/
Founder & Key People
Andrew Job: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtjob/