ABB has formed a strategic partnership with Point Laz to support safer mine hoist inspections through the use of 3D scanning and remote shaft visualisation.
The companies plan to integrate Point Laz’s Lazaruss scanner into ABB Ability Smart Hoisting 4.0, extending ABB’s digital hoisting portfolio with automated mine shaft inspection capability. The scanner is expected to be offered through ABB either as a standalone service or as part of an ABB Care service agreement.
Mine shaft inspection has traditionally depended on manual checks in confined, vertical infrastructure, where access is difficult and risk exposure can be high. Data collection may also be intermittent, leaving developing issues to be identified only after they have progressed far enough to affect maintenance schedules or operating confidence.
Lazaruss is designed to create a digital copy of a mine shaft and provide remote visualisation for inspection teams. Regular scans can help identify developing issues earlier, while automated comparison of shaft condition data gives maintenance teams a more consistent basis for planning intervention.
By adding shaft scanning to ABB Ability Smart Hoisting, ABB is extending hoist monitoring beyond the machinery and control systems at the surface. Hoist reliability depends on the condition of the shaft environment as well as the hoist itself, with guides, steelwork, conveyance paths, and associated infrastructure all contributing to safe and predictable operation.
“We have made it our mission to drive performance standards and improve safety within the mining industry,” said Alexandre Grenier, CEO, Point Laz. “Combining our technology with ABB’s solutions and expertise contributes to safer mining environments and improved operational efficiency.”
ABB Ability Smart Hoisting is a scalable suite of digital applications designed to support mine hoist optimisation, performance, and reliability. Integrating 3D shaft scans into that environment gives operators a more complete view of the hoisting system, linking inspection data more closely with maintenance planning and service decisions.
“The new features adding on to our ABB Ability Smart Hoisting solution provide a significant advancement in ABB’s offering, bringing important benefits to the industry,” said John Manuell, Global Business Unit Manager for Hoisting at ABB. “With the addition of the Lazaruss 3D scanner to our portfolio, we will be able to offer a new, innovative way for mining customers to continuously and proactively identify shaft issues, addressing any concerns before they escalate.”
ABB has more than 135 years of mining experience, spanning mechanical and electrical hoist systems for different hoist types and regulatory environments. The partnership with Point Laz adds a further inspection layer to that portfolio as underground mining operations continue to seek safer and more standardised maintenance processes.
Further details are available through ABB Ability Smart Hoisting and Point Laz’s Lazaruss mine shaft inspection technology.
