Affordable Photogrammetry as Applied in the 3D Modelling and Monitoring of Underground Mining Exploitation and Transport

The application of photogrammetry, with a particular emphasis on 3D modelling and monitoring, is of interest in the field of underground mining transportation. In the article, a practical assignment concerning the creation of a 3D model with the aid of an ordinary photographic camera and a personal computer, practically conducted by a student with the aid or supervision of a lecturer at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, as a part of the academic process that is, in the effort to instil practical knowledge into students, part of pursuing a mining degree, is described in detail, delineating all the procedures involved, any appearing problems, the means to deal with any appearing problems and the means to employ the obtained 3D model in the future. The aim of creating the 3D model was to demonstrate the convenience of applying photogrammetry in the fields of mining, geology and geotechnology, as well as to introduce a tool that is, in terms of its efficiency, relatively poorly represented in Slovenia and, taking into account its affordability along with its efficiency, to consider its practical application in the mining, geological and geotechnological professions.