BIM and TLS Point Cloud Integration for Information Management of Underground Coal Mines: A Case Study in Nui Beo Underground Coal Mining in Vietnam

Abstract

Recently, digital mines (DM) have plays an increasingly important role in ensuring the safety, effective management and operation of mining activities. One of essential pillars for digital transformation in mining is Building Information Model (BIM), which is also one of the first steps to implement Digital Twin. Additionally, using BIM integrated with Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and adopting digital technology can provide powerful assistance in life cycle of mining. In this study, integrating BIM and TLS point clouds, which is the basic framework of DM, was applied to build 3D mining information model as well as assessing safety of Nui Beo underground coal mining in Vietnam. Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard is used to define the mining information model based on TLS point clouds providing geometric and attributive information of the structures. The 3D model was built for important structures of the mine, including the mine shaft, and tunnels based on TLS point cloud. Additionally, the safety assessment of rail tracks in the mine shaft was performed by comparing the TLS point cloud of rail tracks and their as-designed BIM models. The results showed that the integration of BIM and TLS is a practical solution for the information management and safety assessment of underground coal mines.