Managing the mining cycle using GeoVisionary

Managing the mining cycle from exploration through to evaluation, planning, construction, operation and finally mine closure can involve many datasets in different formats. To be able to visualise all of these different datasets in one environment is important to locate mineral/ore deposits, moderate risks, increase mining efficiency, monitor the impact on the surrounding environment and communicate these factors to stakeholders. Typically, GIS – Geographical Information Systems have been used to manage the life cycle of a mine, however the three dimensional (3D) complexity is lost in these two dimensional (2D) systems. Virtalis alongside the British Geological Survey, have developed the GeoVisionary software which provides the means to aid the management of many aspects of the life cycle of a mine using a combination 2D, 3D and 4D data in the same virtual environment

Urban geoscience report : application of geotechnical and engineering geological data and information

This report is published by the British Geological Survey Urban Geoscience Team as part of a series of reports to assess current opportunities and challenges in providing geological data, information, and knowledge to inform urban planning policy and sustainable development. The reports focus on the value of geological data, and the knowledge and understanding applied to these data in urban areas for geohazards, construction and harnessing subsurface resource. Alongside, the reports describe the role of technology in characterising and visualising the shallow subsurface (the top 100 m below ground level), and how this has evolved in response to stakeholder needs. They also provide recommendations for how BGS data and science should develop to respond to future demands of urban geoscience stakeholders including academia, industry, policy makers, urban planners and the general public. The reports in this series are as follows: Urban Geoscience Report - The value of geoscience data, information and knowledge for transport and linear infrastructure projects OR/21/065 (Bricker et al., 2022) Urban Geoscience Report - Capacity for 3D urban modelling OR/22/043 (Kearsey et al., 2022) Urban Geoscience Report - Application of geotechnical and engineering geological data and information OR/22/049 Further details of how BGS data and information are specifically used by stakeholders, and of the value, in general, of geoscience data and information to the construction sector, are presented in Bricker et al., (2022). Further details of 3D modelling, and in particular of 3D geological models in urban areas is also presented in Kearsey et al., (2022)

Enkoping Esker Pilot Study : workflow for data integration and publishing of 3D geological outputs

This report describes the workflows for preparing the data for constructing and publishing a geological model of the Enköping Esker, Sweden. This pilot study was a collaborative effort between the British Geological Survey (BGS) and Swedish Geological Survey (SGU). The main role of the BGS was to help prepare the data for the geological model, provide advice about the construction of the model, technical check the model and create the publication methods for the dissemination of the model. The main role of SGU was to construct the geological model using the SubsurfaceViewer software (INSIGHT). The following publication methods were deployed: Synthetic Geological Model Web Viewer Minecraft 2D and 3D shapefiles ASCII grids (Top, Base, Thickness and Rockhead (base of superficial deposits)) Groundhog Desktop compatible project files and set up GeoVisionary v3 compatible project files and set up Subsurface Viewer files GOCAD-SKUA surfaces (.ts) – top, base and shells A number of suggestions were made by the BGS to improve the workflow methodology. These included: Using Groundhog in the initial stages of model development to minimise snapping and model checks in cross-section Bathymetry would have improved the modelling of the distribution of superficial deposits at the lake bed surface Using the Unlithified Coding Schema (Cooper et al 2006) for the coding of boreholes Ensuring that the borehole index information is correct (start heights) which can reduce the error in the elevations when correlating stratigraphy Looking at stochastic methods for modelling lithofacies in eskers Developing simple visualisations of uncertainty in 2D based on quantitative informatio

Specification of in- and output data formats and deliverables for commissioned 3D geological models

This document is intended to inform project managers, modellers, business development and delivery team members when preparing bids for externally commissioned 3D geological modelling projects and to reduce risk to BGS. The exact details are likely to be different with each modelling project, especially dependant on the methodological approach taken (Groundhog/GSI3D/GOCAD-SKUA). It is therefore essential to consult with the authors of this document as well as with contracts and IPR before submitting any documents to potential clients. The following sections include statements (in Italics) that may be appropriate for inclusion in modelling-related bids

Metadata report for the City of London 3D geological model

This report describes the City of London 3D geological model, created by Constance Martin, a BSc student at the University of Birmingham, and Ricky Terrington and Helen Burke from the British Geological Survey. The work was carried out as part of a final year geology mapping project, using existing data held by the BGS and computer modelling in place of more traditional field mapping techniques to explore the subsurface geology of the developed area of the City of London. The City of London model covers an area covering approximately 3km2 in Central London, where the financial district, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London are located. Eleven geological units are modelled, comprising artificial ground, superficial deposits and bedrock to a cut-off depth of 100 m below Ordnance Datum

User guide for the shrink-swell subsurface (GeoSure Extra) dataset

This report describes the national scale Shrink–Swell subsurfsce (GeoSure Extra) dataset. The methods used to create the dataset have been critically assessed and its fitness for purpose determined by specialists in BGS. This document outlines the background to why the dataset was created, its potential uses and gives a brief description of the layer. Technical information regarding the GIS and how the data was created is described and advice is provided on using the dataset

3-D hydrogeological characterisation of the superficial deposits between Doncaster and Retford

A 3-D geological model of the area between Doncaster and Retford was created in order to characterise the thickness and distribution of superficial deposits to allow hydrogeological domains to be derived above the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer. The overarching aim of the study was to use a domains approach, derived from the output of the 3-D model to assess potential recharge to the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer. The results of the study are intended to help the Environment Agency meet its regulatory requirements under the Water Framework Directive and Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS) and form part of its overall East Midlands – Yorkshire Sherwood Sandstone Groundwater Study. The 3-D model revealed a complex sequence of pre-glacial, glacial and post-glacial sediments deposited on a rockhead surface that extends in paces to –26mOD as a result of deep incision into the bedrock. These channels are orientated north-west, south-east or east-west. The sequence of superficial deposits is generally less than 10m thick, increasing to 25m in places to the east and southeast of the project area. The area from Hatfield Moors in the north-east to Misson in the south-east is characterised by a sequence of peat, variably underlain by Blown Sand, Glaciolacustrine silt and clay and “Older River Gravel”. The Glaciolacustrine silt and clay is most thickly developed beneath Hatfield Moors, but is laterally discontinuous. Elsewhere, to the west of the study area, the superficial deposits comprise sand, gravel and till of limited extent and are generally less than 10m thick, except in some fluvial valleys. Seven hydrogeological domains were identified from the 3-D model and other published data sources. The domains were defined in terms of the potential for recharge to occur either directly into the Sherwood Sandstone or through the sequence of superficial deposits. Each of the units making up the superficial deposits in the area was classified according to its inferred hydrogeological properties. A hydrogeological domains map produced via a series of GIS rules and queries using the digital output from the model reveal that the potential for recharge is greatest in the western and central parts of the project area, with only limited potential recharge occurring to the east

A 3D geological model for B90745 North Trans Pennine Electrification East between Leeds and York

This report and accompanying 3D geological model were produced for Tata Steel Projects. The report describes the bedrock and Quaternary geology of the study area, comprising 28 km (17.5 miles) of railway line between Leeds and York. The description and spatial distribution of each geological unit is based on the 3D geological model, which was constructed using 1:10,000 scale digital geological map data and 102 borehole logs from the British Geological Survey’s national archive. All boreholes located within the modelled area were considered in the construction of the geological model, together with key boreholes that fall outside the area of study. The top and base of weathered rock as defined is depicted as layers within the model

Ground motion and stratum thickness comparison in Tower Hamlets, London

This report is the published product of a study by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to identify the impact of thickness and distribution of different strata beneath the borough of Tower Hamlets in London compared against temporal ground motion resulting from anthropogenic activities. Other units which are known to have potential high shrink and swelling characteristics in this location were also considered. Focus was on a newly developed Artificially Modified Ground (AMG) 3D layer where the thickness and distribution was calculated using boreholes and landuse types. The layer has been used to refine the thickness of the other lithological units in the area. Ground motion data for the 2015-2018 period was derived using spaceborne Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) which can measure surface displacement to millimetre accuracy in urban areas. A machine learning technique, called cluster analysis, has been used to group ground motion pattern of 23,245 points within the borough in space and time. The relationship with the thickness of the AMG and the underlying superficial and bedrock units was then studied. The results show that, within the area of study, the main component of motion is the uplift connected, in time, with the underground anthropogenic activities in the area. Ground displacement patterns are not connected with the thickness of the thickest and deepest units (London Clay, Lambeth Group and Thanet Formation) but have a connection to the most superficial deposits (Alluvium, River Terrace Deposits, Langley Silt Member and Kempton Park Gravel Member)

Urban geoscience report : the value of geoscience data, information and knowledge for transport and linear infrastructure projects

New transport and urban infrastructure provision lies at the centre of UK government’s Build Back Better campaign and the Levelling-Up Agenda, to deliver significant socio-economic value to local economies, through provision of jobs and supply contracts, and enhancing well-being through greater local access to services. This will comprise large scale investment in major infrastructure and construction projects like HS2, Crossrail, and major flood risk management programmes as well as the provision of housing and the rapid deployment of fibre and 5G. To maximise the value of investment in new infrastructure the UK Government has set targets for improved productivity, efficiency, and adoption of environment-sensitive principles in the construction sector with the introduction of ‘Project Speed’ and the ‘Faster, Better, Greener’ approach. A number of recent initiatives have highlighted the value of subsurface data sharing to support construction and infrastructure development, and wider subsurface management. These include the Geospatial Commission’s National Underground Asset Register; Dig-to-Share -an Infrastructure Industry Innovation Partnership project; Project Iceberg; and the EU Sub-Urban COST Action. These initiatives have been successful in bringing together public and private sector bodies to demonstrate the potential benefits arising from the deposition and (re-)use of geoscience data and information. Despite these successes the value of geological and geotechnical data throughout the infrastructure and construction lifecycle is still under appreciated, resulting in inefficiency and reduced productivity. It has been estimated that unforeseen ground conditions contribute to significant delays in 20-60% of transport and linear infrastructure developments, and budget overruns, typically over 10%, are recorded across the industry. This report describes how geological data and knowledge is key to overcoming challenges associated with ground conditions and improving efficiency within planning and construction. Whilst the review is targeted to the transport and linear infrastructure sector, the observations on Ground Investigation (GI) data and geological data and support services are relevant to the broader construction lifecycle. Some of the wider social, economic and environmental benefits delivered when good GI and data management principles are applied are also highlighted. The report identifies the key datasets and services available from the BGS for those undertaking GI for new transport and linear infrastructure projects but more widely for those employed in construction and asset management. A number of cases studies are described which demonstrate the value of geological and geotechnical information for transport infrastructure, such as the Lower Thames Crossing, and Farringdon Station (CrossRail)