Precision Underground Mapping with the XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro
Survey & Resource Management (SRM), headquartered in Pretoria, has become a trusted technical services partner for South Africa’s mining industry. Since its founding in 2006, SRM has provided specialised surveying, planning, and resource management solutions to mining operations across the country.
Pioneering Accuracy in South African Mining
For Managing Director Martin Jooste, the drive has always been to push the boundaries of accuracy and efficiency, particularly in challenging underground environments. That vision led SRM to adopt the XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro handheld SLAM scanner, paired with LixelStudio office software.
“In underground mining, our biggest concern has always been getting the profiles into the mine’s coordinate system,” explains SRM. “The Lixel L2 Pro has made that process much easier and far more reliable than scanners I’ve used before.”
This success story highlights how the XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro has transformed SRM’s workflow, enhanced underground surveying accuracy, and provided new capabilities that are setting benchmarks in mining operations.
Solving Underground Challenges with SLAM Technology
Underground mining environments are notoriously challenging for surveyors, with low light, damp conditions, uneven rock faces, and narrow passages. Traditional scanners often struggled to capture precise data that could be geo-referenced confidently. The XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro changed that dynamic.
The device utilises Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) and visual odometry (VO), enabling surveyors to map underground spaces as they navigate through them. This creates accurate XYZ spatial data, which can then be seamlessly tied to real-world coordinates.
“From the error reports I’ve received, the accuracies are within millimetres,” notes SRM. “That level of precision is outstanding for our work. It gives us confidence that what we capture underground aligns perfectly with operational coordinates above ground.” He adds, “It’s a handheld scanner. As you proceed forward in the workplace, it scans the profile of the face, which gives you XYZ spatial data. With the software, that data is processed into real space. Essentially, it is mapping the environment, landmarks, tunnels, and everything around you. It’s Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping on the fly.”
The Lixel L2 Pro also reflects a new generation of SLAM technology. Building on earlier innovations such as onboard real-time processing, it integrates multi-sensor algorithms and spatial AI to improve accuracy and deliver immediate, high-quality point cloud data. For SRM, this means that the scans captured underground are not only accurate but also usable for mapping and modelling. However, post-processing is required for geo-referencing and obtaining an even higher degree of accuracy. When working above ground, the system pairs well with high-precision RTK to provide geo-referenced data in real-time. At the same time, colour rendering and enhanced density make visual outputs clearer and more expressive. Accessories such as the carrying system and extension pole extend its flexibility in challenging environments. Combined with LixelStudio office software, the scanner delivers refined point clouds with structural detail and industry-standard export formats, ensuring seamless integration into SRM’s existing workflows.
Fusion Processing for Seamless Workflows
One of the standout features of the XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro is its fusion processing, which allows multiple scans to be stitched together into a single, coherent dataset. For SRM, this meant that long tunnel sections can be captured with ease, reducing the density of control points required and post-stitching of scans together.
“I was able to scan a decline of about 160 metres in one go, something I could never achieve with older scanners,” recalls SRM. “And the closure was excellent. Even in a steep decline, moving slowly, the data maintained its accuracy throughout.”
This ability to capture long tunnel sections in a single workflow has dramatically reduced time spent underground and eliminated the inefficiencies of repeating sections due to deflection or data drift.
Real-time Visualisation Enhances On-site Decisions
Another key advantage of the XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro is its ability to provide real-time point cloud visualisation. Surveyors can immediately view the captured data and assess whether additional passes or adjustments are needed.
This functionality not only saves time but also provides a powerful communication tool for mine management. On one recent project, SRM delivered a detailed flythrough of a decline to the mine’s general manager. “With the Lixel L2 Pro, we could capture all the features in incredible detail. The flythrough afforded management a clear, realistic picture of the underground environment. It’s a powerful way to share survey insights,” says SRM.
Streamlined Control Point Registration
In underground mining, control points are critical anchors for accurate survey data. Previously, registering control points often required manual notebooks, careful cross-referencing, and additional office processing. With the Lixel L2 Pro, that process has been fully digitised.
“Now I can simply enter the peg number on the scanner itself,” explains SRM. “It eliminates a lot of human error and saves us hours of rechecking data back at the office.”
By allowing direct input of control point identifiers into the scanner, SRM has streamlined its underground workflow, ensuring a tighter connection between fieldwork and office processing.
LixelStudio Office Software: Powerful Processing in Action
The Lixel L2 Pro’s companion software, LixelStudio, plays a pivotal role in transforming raw scan data into actionable outputs. From project setup to processing, the software is designed to be intuitive, ensuring surveyors can quickly move from data capture to deliverables. The software also supports advanced visualisation and analysis tools, allowing SRM to deliver precise outputs for planning, design, and compliance reporting. The integration between field hardware and office software ensures a seamless data pipeline.
“Opening a project and processing the data is simple and much faster than before. It has improved the overall output of our work significantly,” says SRM.
Reliability and Efficiency Underground
The efficiency gains delivered by the XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro extend beyond technical accuracy. For SRM, the real value lies in how the system simplifies fieldwork and accelerates the delivery of final survey products. By avoiding repeat work, SRM can minimise time spent underground, reducing exposure to hazards while also speeding up the project timeline. This translates directly into cost savings for clients and safer operations for surveyors.
“There was not a single scan that I had to redo. Every capture closed properly the first time,” SRM emphasises. “That reliability makes a huge difference when you’re working underground, where time is always critical.”
A Game-changer for Underground Mining
The XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro is not only a survey tool but also redefining how underground mining projects are executed. With its ability to capture long tunnels, accurately reference data, and provide real-time visualisation, the system has empowered SRM to deliver faster, more accurate, and more reliable results. “It’s the first scanner I’ve used that provided peace of mind during the underground scanning process,” concludes SRM. “For us, it has been a game changer.”
Conclusion
The partnership between SRM and the OPTRON Group through the adoption of the XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro SLAM scanner and LixelStudio office software represents a major advancement in underground surveying. By addressing the core needs of accuracy, efficiency, and reliability, the system enables mining companies to make better decisions, reduce risks, and optimise operations.
The Lixel L2 Pro handheld SLAM scanner is proving to be more than a piece of equipment; it is becoming an essential component of modern underground mining strategy.
Read More about the XGRIDS Lixel L2 Pro handheld scanner, or Contact BuildingPoint SA for more information on the latest 3D Laser Scanning Technologies.
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