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29 July 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs
Dr Martin Clark
Dr Martin Clark, the founder of the MAGIC (Multi-purpose Aerial Geological Image Classification) initiative. MAGIC can obtain geological and structural information that is critical for making informed decisions in exploration and mineral extraction processes.

Mining has historically been described as a boom-and-bust industry, where fluctuations in mineral prices could result in extreme success or bankruptcy. Successful mining companies closely monitor assets/expenditures, risks, and other parameters associated with their business to best ensure their longevity. In most mineral industries, there are a few competitors that dominate the delivery of a mineral resource. As a result, technological development, along with other factors, are critical to ensure that these companies’ business remains viable and protected.

This is according to post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Geology, Dr Martin Clark.

Drone technology: better, faster, safer

He says technological development in mining generally translates to how a company can extract a resource from the ground better, faster, and safer. 

Dr Clark believes the rapid development of drone technology represents a shift in the toolbox that mining companies can employ.

“Drones can collect a great deal of data randomly over vast or small areas within hours, historically accomplished by mapping campaigns which can last months to years. Drones can also collect data in areas which are difficult and dangerous for humans to get to. These include cliff faces or rock walls that are difficult and dangerous to get close to, as well as stretches of land where dense vegetation, inaccessible terrain, and even atmospheric dangers become factors which reduce or modify the scope of exploration work,” he said. 

Expanding application of drones

Dr Clark’s work specifically focuses on expanding the applications for which drones are used. “I assess what and how good the imaging capabilities of drones are, use the imagery to generate 3-D models to drive scientific observation, and yield results which can help companies to extract resources. This initiative is called MAGIC (Multi-purpose Aerial Geological Image Classification),” he said. 



“MAGIC aims to collect geological and structural information that is critical for making informed decisions in exploration and mineral extraction processes,” he added.

Dr Clark is not only the founder of MAGIC; he also drives multiple aspects of the initiative including education, research, and business development. 

In 2013, when he was busy with his doctorate, there was already a spark of interest in using drones to address geological questions. At that time, Dr Clark was working with remotely sensed high-resolution LiDAR imagery to better understand geological structures at the Sudbury Mining Camp in Canada. The interest became a reality in 2018, when he applied this initiative during his post-doctoral fellowship at the UFS.

Now and the future

“At present, there are no direct mining projects underway, but projects are expected to begin in 2020. Drone operation and image-analysis techniques are currently being refined for industry,” he said. 

Besides his work with drones, Dr Clark also work in the fields of structural geology, remote sensing, and geospatial data analysis.  

News Archive

Scaena Theatre: Boom! (Afrikaans) 7-9 May
2009-05-08

Produksie: Boom!
Regie: Adriaan Meyer
Teks: Nataniël
Kostuums: Errol Arendz
Stelontwerp: Strijdom van der Merwe
Datum: 7-9 Mei
Venue: Scaena-teater
Kaartjie-pryse: R65 & R95
Besprekings: Computicket

BLOEMFONTEIN: Nataniël-aanhangers wat nog nie Boom! gesien het nie, moet gou spring vir kaartjies. Die produksie is gedurende Mei-maand moontlik vir die laaste keer in Bloemfontein te sien.

Boom! is deur Nataniël geskryf. Al die 2008-vertonings van die stuk op Aardklop en die Volksbladfees is al uitverkoop. Ekstra vertonings moes gereël word. Die produksie was ook op ander feeste, soos die Woordfees op Stellenbosch te sien. Die eenvrou-tragikomedie is `n vertoonstuk vir die vaardige spel van met Hilletje Möller.

Hilletje Moller verwerf in 2005 haar B.A Drama en Teaterkuns aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat, waar sy Universiteits erekleure vir teaterkuns verwerf. Hilletjie maak haar professionele debuut, tydens haar vertolking van die hoofrol in Skerp-sin (oorspronklike teks deur Pulitzer pryswenner Margaret Edson). Verder was sy al op die verhoog te sien in produksies soos “Die Huweliksaansoek" , “Nag van Legio", “Bloedbruilof", “Weer" en “Bewys" wat in 2008 Beste Debuut Produksie by die Volksblad Kunstefees aangewys is. Hilletje is in 2008 gekeur om haar studies aan die Lee Strasberg drama instituut in New York voort te sit.

Op 7-9 Mei om 19:30 is BOOM! In die Scaena-teater op die UV-kampus te sien. `n Middagvertoning om 14:30 is ook op Saterdag gereël. Kaartjies is beskikbaar teen R65. Teen slegs R95 per persoon is 20 sitplekke per vertoning beskikbaar op die leerbanke en sluit sjerrie in.

Besprekings is deur Computicket (Mimosa Mall en Checkers).
 

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