This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of real time kinematic (RTK) GNSS and terrestrial laser
scanner (TLS) for measuring the volume of excavated overburden and coal in large open-pit mines, in
comparison with a conventional method using a total station. The studies were conducted in two large
open-pit mines which included Mae Moh mine, Thailand, and Hongsa mine, Lao People’s Democratic
Republic. The results from measuring the reference points revealed that a total station exhibited 0.2 mm
precision for both horizontal and vertical coordinates, whereas RTK demonstrated 2.5 mm and 3.9 mm
precision for horizontal and vertical coordinates, respectively. When using TLS on the same points, the
value was 4.93 cm for horizontal coordinate and 0.63 cm for vertical coordinate. In conclusion,
measuring the volume by RTK and TLS generated differences about 0.4 and 1.0 percent of the total
volume measured by a total station, respectively.
Keywords
GNSS, RTK, Terrestrial Laser Scanner, Total station