Edward Eric Duncan

3D GIS for mine development – integrated concepts

Spatial data modelling information-based systems in current mining operations in Ghana are introduced with particular emphasis on the concepts and the hierarchical structure for three-dimensional (3D) mine. The integration of the various components of a mine is presented, and a queryable 3D mine simulation is also discussed. The conceptual and logical models of 3D tetrahedral model are discussed. This paper discusses the concepts and background knowledge for 3D mine development in general, and then goes further to demonstrate the implementation of the unified spatial data model for mine development. The results showed that a singular spatial data model can be developed to show man-made objects above and below the mine surface.

Urbanization and 3D City Modelling for Developing Countries: A Comparative Study

The study examines urbanization and its associated effects in terms of infrastructure, planning and congestion in two West African cities: Ibadan in Nigeria and Accra in Ghana. A comparative planning scheme for Accra, Ibadan and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is also analysed. Quantitative and qualitative approach in the form of orthophotos and satellite imagery, planning schemes and questionnaire were used for the study, 519 respondents were randomly sampled. Results from the study reveal that more than half of the respondents from Accra and Ibadan stated that the level of provision of sanitary facilities is not adequate or in most cases not present at all, while majority of respondents from Kuala Lumpur stated that sanitary facilities are adequate. Similarly, findings from the study show that majority of respondents from Accra and Ibadan stated that the provision of transport and recreational facilities is poor as compared to Kuala Lumpur. In the three cities more than half of the respondents claimed that they spent over 21 minutes to and from their work place. Overall impression about the physical infrastructure was poor in Accra and Ibadan. Also, it was observed from the findings that respondents incur both human and material losses due to traffic congestion in both cities. Some of the causes of traffic congestion identified especially in Accra and Ibadan in the study include: high number of vehicles plying the roads, narrow road networks, bad roads, lack of alternate routes, erection of structures near some major routes in the city and impatience on the part of some drivers. The cities of Ibadan and Accra are sprawling in a horizontal direction thereby taking a lot of land space with no effort being made by building and planning agencies to start building structures in the vertical direction above and below the city surface. The two cities therefore cannot boast of any significant landmarks in the category of the Twin Towers of Kuala Lumpur, hence the tourism potential of these cities cannot be maximally utilized. The study suggests the adoption of 3D city modelling and techniques in Accra in Ghana and Ibadan in Nigeria for spatial planning, also a generic framework is presented so as to overcome some of the transport and infrastructural problems to improve the quality of life as observed in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

A Multipurpose Cadastral Framework for Developing Countries Concepts

Land acquisition and ownership for wealth creation has eluded most individuals in various regions of the Earth especially regions described as developing or less developed countries. Most European countries have developed multi‐purpose cadastre (MPC) to streamline property ownership. Heterogeneity of space ownership is complex when it has to deal with space ownership above and below the surface. The concept of wealth can be measured as ones interest in land. This research seeks to introduce a conceptual framework using tools readily available and can be adopted by most countries. Reviews of cadastre being practised in some countries are presented. Concepts within the Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) framework are also presented within the concepts of some standards such as CityGML. The concept for above and below volume parcels is presented. Land package by governments in African countries will help alleviate poverty and create wealth in many African countries. A graphical interface is developed for this concept. The need for a conceptual schema for land volume parcels and marine blocks for countries having borders with the sea or ocean is emphasised.

Enhanced Land Documentation For Farmland Compensation - A Case Study Of UMaT Lands, Postulated Challenges and Solutions.

Speculative developments on land areas given out for developments have posed great challenges to would be developers, be they mining concerns, schools and universities or any other potential enterprise for uninterrupted growth. Challenges that have dogged developers in any of these categories for development have been unprecedented, exorbitant post compensations to be paid for the land and what have been developed on them. This paper makes thorough analysis into these challenges that could have unpleasant repercussions for the developer in this case the University of Mines and Technology, (UMaT). The existing format of documentation is considered and an enhanced format evolved that will make the presentation of documentation for effecting compensations more transparent while eliminating unwarranted Speculative Developments (SpD) that have most often created heated arguments and rancor between individual land owners and the development agency.

A Review and Conceptual Framework for Generalization of Maps

Generally, National Mapping Agencies (NMAs) produce and maintain topographic and cadastral maps. Regular update of map products is the most critical problem faced by NMAs. Therefore, implementation of new technology to automate map generalization has become crucial in updating smaller-scale maps from frequently updated larger-scale maps. Additionally, customized data products can be produced. Implementation of single database and derivation (generalization) of multiple-scale maps from one database can improve the efficiency and maintenance of derived data products. However, consensus between NMAs on a common generalization technique has not been achieved due to incompatibility and complexity of data models. Definitions of terms, technology and organizational structures of the NMAs across the globe are different. This chapter reviews the pertinent generalization efforts made by a number of European NMAs. A framework is proposed based on two correlated models: process-oriented generalization models and object-level-oriented generalization models, which is related to level of map objects. A portion of this framework is implemented and tested on datasets of Kelantan state in Malaysia to produce generalized maps. Generalization operations (e.g., simplification, aggregation, smoothing, etc.) are applied with the aim to generalize polygons and transportation network (e.g., roads, etc.). The proposed framework could be adopted, implemented and tested on datasets maintained by Malaysian National Mapping Agency known as JUPEM (Portal Rasmi Jabatan Ukur Dan Pemetaan Malaysia).

Surface Deformation Monitoring in the Goldfields Ghana Limited Area.

Large sets of remotely sensed data can be acquired using satellite communication technology and processed using high performance computers to produce interpreted images of objects on earth. The rapid advancement of remote sensing techniques has enabled these satellites to acquire data of large areas within a relatively short period. This study investigated the application of remote sensing imagery from two different platforms in monitoring land surface deformation in the Goldfields Ghana Limited Tarkwa, area. The results showed that both DInSAR and Intensity Difference Analysis are able to identify land surface deformation due to surface mining. However, it was not possible to pinpoint the location of slope failure without the knowledge of the incident.