3D LiDAR Scanning for Mineral Processing in Marlborough, Queensland

We provide engineering-grade 3D LiDAR scanning for mines, beneficiation plants and mineral-processing infrastructure throughout Marlborough and the surrounding Central Queensland region.

Our engineering-grade 3D laser scanning services capture the existing geometry of conveyors, crushers, screens, processing equipment, pipework and structural steel.

Registered point-cloud data can then be used for:

Brownfield plant upgrades
Shutdown planning
Scan-to-CAD modelling
Mechanical engineering
Structural-steel modifications
Dimensional verification
Replacement-equipment design
Fabrication and installation planning
As-built documentation

We support mining companies, mineral processors, engineering consultants, fabricators and maintenance contractors working throughout:

Marlborough
Kunwarara
Yaamba
Livingstone Shire
Rockhampton
Parkhurst
Clarke Creek
Central Queensland

Engineering-grade reality capture for mineral-processing plants

Mineral-processing facilities frequently contain tightly arranged equipment, complex structural steel and infrastructure that has been modified over many years.

Existing drawings may no longer represent the installed plant accurately. Manual measurement can also be difficult around operating conveyors, elevated structures, enclosed processing areas and restricted-access equipment.

Terrestrial LiDAR scanning captures millions of spatial measurements from multiple scanner positions. These measurements are registered into a coordinated three-dimensional point cloud representing the plant as it exists at the time of scanning.

The resulting dataset provides a reliable foundation for:

Brownfield modifications
Replacement-equipment design
Conveyor and chute upgrades
Structural-steel additions
Pipework modifications
Access-platform design
Plant-layout verification
Clash detection
Fabrication modelling
Shutdown planning

Our broader 3D laser scanning for engineering projects service combines site capture with engineering-ready models and drawings.

Supporting mineral processing around Marlborough

The Marlborough region is associated with magnesite resources, open-pit mining, screening, washing, beneficiation and bulk-material transport.

After extraction, magnesite ore may pass through several processing stages, including:

Selective open-pit mining
Run-of-mine screening
Primary crushing
Washing and scrubbing
Beneficiation
Dewatering
Graded stockpiling
Transport to downstream processing facilities
Blending and grinding
Calcination and high-temperature processing
Product crushing, sizing and dispatch

Each stage contains mechanical equipment, supporting structures and materials-handling systems that may require accurate existing-condition capture before an upgrade or replacement project begins.

LiDAR scanning for crushing and screening plants

Crushing and screening areas contain equipment that can be difficult to document using conventional hand measurements.

A coordinated laser scan can capture:

Run-of-mine receival areas
Feed hoppers
Grizzlies
Apron and vibrating feeders
Jaw crushers
Secondary crushers
Vibrating screens
Transfer chutes
Conveyor structures
Walkways
Access platforms
Equipment foundations
Guards
Maintenance clearances

The point cloud can be used to develop an accurate plant model before replacement equipment, support steel or access structures are designed.

This is particularly valuable where a new crusher, feeder or screen must fit within an existing structure with limited installation clearance.

Scanning for beneficiation and washing plants

Magnesite beneficiation may include screening, washing, scrubbing, separation, dewatering and controlled stockpiling.

We can scan beneficiation infrastructure including:

Washing screens
Scrubbers
Pumps
Pipework
Launders
Sumps
Tanks
Dewatering equipment
Cyclones
Process-water systems
Structural supports
Access stairs
Platforms and walkways

An engineering-grade scan provides a coordinated record of mechanical equipment, pipework, floor levels and supporting steelwork.

This information can be used to plan equipment replacements, modify pipe routes, improve access or design new processing modules.

Conveyor and transfer-point scanning

Conveyors and transfer stations are among the most common areas requiring dimensional verification within mineral-processing facilities.

Even small differences between existing drawings and the installed plant can create problems during fabrication or installation.

LiDAR scanning can capture:

Conveyor centre lines
Head and tail pulley locations
Drive arrangements
Take-up systems
Stringers and trestles
Transfer chutes
Skirting systems
Impact beds
Belt cleaners
Walkways
Platforms
Guards
Adjacent pipework
Electrical trays and services

The scan data can support the design of replacement chutes, skirts, guards, access systems and conveyor components.

Point-cloud models can also be incorporated into a structured mining-infrastructure engineering model for upgrade planning, fabrication and installation review.

Chute and hopper engineering

Chutes, hoppers and bins are exposed to abrasive material and may experience wear, corrosion, blockage, spillage and uncontrolled material flow.

Laser scanning allows the surrounding steelwork and equipment interfaces to be captured without relying entirely on original drawings.

The point cloud can support:

Replacement chute design
Chute-liner layouts
Wear-plate detailing
Hopper modifications
Spout and transition design
Transfer-point redesign
Structural-support modifications
Fabrication drawings
Installation clash checks

Accurate existing-condition data is particularly important when a replacement chute must connect to existing conveyors, skirts, support steel and discharge equipment.

Further information is available through our mining conveyor transfer chute design and chute design for mining services.

Plant shutdown scanning

Shutdown periods provide limited opportunities to access equipment that is normally operating, guarded, enclosed or otherwise difficult to approach.

A planned LiDAR survey can capture multiple plant areas during one site mobilisation. Engineers can then return to the point cloud after the shutdown to extract additional measurements without repeatedly returning to site.

Shutdown scanning may support:

Existing-condition capture
Replacement-equipment design
Tie-in verification
Structural modifications
Pipe-spool design
Maintenance planning
Installation sequencing
Post-installation verification
As-built documentation

Our 3D scanning for mining shutdown projects service is designed specifically for plant upgrades and time-sensitive shutdown work.

Structural-steel and access-system scanning

Mineral-processing plants commonly contain extensive structural steel supporting conveyors, screens, bins, platforms and processing equipment.

Terrestrial laser scanning can record:

Columns and beams
Equipment support frames
Conveyor trestles
Platforms
Stairs
Handrails
Ladders
Bracing
Floor penetrations
Existing connection locations
Available installation clearances

This information can be converted into an engineering model for new platforms, access improvements or equipment-support modifications.

The point cloud also allows designers to position proposed steelwork within the existing plant and identify potential clashes before fabrication begins.

Pipework and ducting surveys

Processing plants can contain dense networks of process-water pipes, slurry lines, compressed-air services, dust-extraction ducts and drainage systems.

Laser scanning captures the visible route and external geometry of these services within a common coordinate system.

Point-cloud data can assist with:

Pipe-routing studies
New tie-in locations
Replacement pipe spools
Pump and valve modifications
Process-water upgrades
Dust-collection upgrades
Duct-routing studies
Support-steel design
Clash detection
Shutdown installation planning

Critical connection dimensions can also be verified using direct measurement where the required fabrication tolerance is tighter than the general point-cloud survey tolerance.

Magnesia-processing plant applications

Following beneficiation, magnesite may be transported to a downstream processing facility for stockpiling, blending, grinding and thermal conversion into magnesium oxide products.

Typical downstream plant stages may include:

Ore receival
Stockpiling
Reclaiming
Blending
Grinding
Air classification
Calcination
Briquetting
Shaft-kiln processing
Electrofusion
Cooling
Product crushing
Screening
Packaging
Dispatch

LiDAR scanning can support engineering work around:

Truck receival hoppers
Reclaim conveyors
Grinding mills
Air classifiers
Calcination equipment
Vertical shaft kilns
Briquetting presses
Furnace buildings
Electrode systems
Cooling systems
Dust collectors
Exhaust ductwork
Product crushing and sizing equipment
Packaging and dispatch facilities

These areas frequently contain complex steelwork, ducts, pipework and mechanical equipment. Comprehensive reality capture can reduce reliance on incomplete or outdated legacy drawings.

Scan-to-CAD modelling

Point-cloud data can be converted into simplified or detailed CAD geometry depending on the engineering outcome.

Our 3D CAD modelling services can produce:

Existing-condition 3D models
Structural-steel models
Equipment-envelope models
Conveyor layouts
Chute and hopper models
Pipe-routing models
General arrangements
Plans, sections and elevations
Fabrication models
Installation drawings

Models can be developed around the plant areas directly relevant to the project rather than recreating the entire facility unnecessarily.

This targeted approach can reduce modelling time while providing the level of detail required for engineering, fabrication and installation planning.

Reverse engineering of plant components

Mineral-processing equipment may remain in service long after original drawings, models or suppliers are no longer available.

Laser scanning and detailed measurement can support the reverse engineering of:

Chute sections
Hoppers
Guards
Machine frames
Bearing housings
Duct transitions
Pipework interfaces
Wear liners
Access platforms
Obsolete mechanical components

Our reverse engineering with 3D scanning process can be used to develop replacement geometry while considering fit-up, manufacturing and installation requirements.

Clash detection and design verification

Proposed plant components can be positioned within the point cloud before fabrication.

This allows the project team to assess potential interference with:

Existing structural steel
Conveyors
Pipework
Electrical trays
Guards
Handrails
Platforms
Maintenance-removal paths
Mobile equipment routes
Crane and lifting access

Designing against captured plant geometry helps identify potential problems before steelwork or equipment arrives on site.

This can reduce site rework, emergency modifications and installation delays during a restricted shutdown window.

Point-cloud and engineering deliverables

Depending on the project scope, deliverables may include:

Registered colourised point clouds
E57 point-cloud files
Autodesk ReCap RCP or RCS files
LAS files
Scan-location plans
Existing-condition CAD models
SolidWorks models
Autodesk Inventor models
AutoCAD DWG drawings
STEP models
Parasolid models
General arrangements
Plans, sections and elevations
Fabrication drawings
As-built verification reports
Clash-review models

Deliverables are selected according to the client’s design platform, internal workflow and intended use of the survey.

Why use terrestrial LiDAR scanning?

Reduce manual measurement

A scanner captures complete visible surfaces and surrounding infrastructure rather than a limited number of isolated dimensions.

Reduce repeat site visits

Project teams can revisit the registered point cloud to obtain additional dimensions after the initial survey.

Design around actual plant conditions

The scan records the installed position of equipment and structures rather than relying exclusively on old drawings.

Improve fabrication confidence

Proposed components can be checked digitally against the surrounding plant before manufacturing begins.

Improve shutdown preparation

Interfaces, clearances, access restrictions and potential clashes can be assessed before the shutdown starts.

Improve safety during measurement

The scanner can capture elevated and difficult-to-reach surfaces from accessible locations, subject to line-of-sight limitations and site controls.

Create an enduring site record

The point cloud provides a dated three-dimensional record of the facility for future engineering, maintenance and asset-management projects.

Engineering-led LiDAR scanning

We combine reality capture with practical mechanical engineering, drafting and bulk-materials-handling experience.

Our capabilities include:

Engineering-grade 3D laser scanning across Australia
Point-cloud registration
Scan-to-CAD modelling
Mechanical design
Conveyor and chute design
Reverse engineering
Structural-steel detailing
Fabrication drawings
Existing-condition studies
Wear and erosion assessments
Shutdown engineering support

This enables the survey to be planned around the required engineering outcome rather than treated as an isolated scanning exercise.

Mineral-processing equipment we can capture

Our LiDAR scanning services can be applied to:

Crushers
Screens
Feeders
Conveyors
Transfer stations
Chutes
Hoppers
Bins
Scrubbers
Cyclones
Pumps
Tanks
Mills
Classifiers
Briquetting presses
Kilns
Furnaces
Dust collectors
Exhaust ducts
Pipework
Structural steel
Platforms
Stairs and access systems

Service area

Project-based scanning and engineering support is available for mineral-processing and industrial facilities throughout Marlborough and the broader Central Queensland region.

Potential service locations include:

Marlborough
Kunwarara
Yaamba
The Caves
Parkhurst
Rockhampton
Gracemere
Livingstone Shire
Clarke Creek
Gladstone
Central Queensland mining regions

Regional and remote work can be planned around site inductions, shutdown access, travel requirements and operating constraints.

Frequently asked questions

What is 3D LiDAR scanning?

3D LiDAR scanning uses laser measurements to capture the position and shape of visible surfaces within an operating environment.

The measurements are combined into a three-dimensional point cloud that can be viewed, measured and used as a reference for engineering design.

Can an operating mineral-processing plant be scanned?

Yes. Many external plant areas can be captured while the facility remains operational, subject to site rules, exclusion zones and safe access.

Some equipment interfaces may be better captured during a planned shutdown.

Can point-cloud data be used in SolidWorks?

Yes. Point-cloud data can be used as a spatial reference while developing SolidWorks equipment, structural and fabrication models.

The most appropriate workflow depends on the dataset size, required modelling accuracy and level of detail.

Can AutoCAD drawings be created from the scan?

Yes. Registered point-cloud data can be used to prepare AutoCAD general arrangements, plans, sections, elevations and mechanical drawings.

Can LiDAR scanning measure plant wear?

LiDAR scanning can assist with documenting accessible surface loss, deformation and geometric change.

Its suitability depends on the required accuracy, surface visibility, scan density and whether reliable baseline geometry is available.

Can conveyors and transfer chutes be scanned?

Yes. Conveyors, transfer stations, chutes, skirts, walkways, guards and supporting structures are common industrial scanning applications.

What scanning accuracy can be achieved?

The achievable accuracy depends on factors including scanner position, capture distance, surface characteristics, registration methodology and site conditions.

The scanning and verification plan should be established around the tolerances required for the engineering, fabrication or inspection task.

Is scanning-only available?

Yes. A project can include registered point-cloud data only or a combined scope involving scanning, CAD modelling, mechanical design and engineering drawings.

3D LiDAR scanning for Marlborough mineral-processing projects

Accurate existing-condition information is essential when upgrading operating mines and mineral-processing facilities.

Engineering-led LiDAR scanning can support the design, fabrication and installation of plant modifications throughout Marlborough, Kunwarara and Central Queensland.

Whether a project involves a conveyor upgrade, replacement chute, beneficiation-plant modification, new access platform or shutdown survey, the objective is to provide a dependable three-dimensional record of the plant before detailed design begins.

Contact us to discuss 3D LiDAR scanning, Scan-to-CAD modelling or mechanical engineering support for a mineral-processing project in Marlborough or Central Queensland.