Application of Virtual Reality for Visual Presentation in the Mineral Industry

Computer Graphics (CG) and Virtual Reality (VR) are becoming very useful in the mineral industry as tools by which engineers, managers and planners can communicate complex engineering designs to the relevant end users in 3- dimensional (3D) presentations. Although 2-dimensional (2D) presentations of technical data still have significant meaning, certain designs to establish continuity or otherwise of a mineral deposit can only be clearly communicated by 3D presentations, in order to achieve the desired impact. Currently, most of the reclamation plans presented to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are more descriptive than visual in the presentations. CG and VR Technique do more than that. This paper presents how CG and VR technology can be used to enhance visual presentation of the various stages of environmental remediation. 3D-StudioMax, a version of Auto-CAD software, has been applied to a mined-out pit required to be converted to a recreational facility or fish pond. In this application the images created have been rendered to produce good quality photographic textured solid images showing a final scenic effect of a reclaimed pit. This type of presentation is more likely to appeal to the general public made up of the local communities that will be affected by the impact of mining as well as the management of the establishment and the government agencies concerned with authorising the project. Ghana Mining Journal Vol. 9 2007: pp. 62-6