January 21, 2020 – Vancouver based geotechnical firm, BGC Engineering, has been awarded a CAD $300,000 contract by Public Works and Government Services Canada (on behalf of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada), for the provision of Holographic Augmented Reality Visualization Support Services at Giant Mine, in the Northwest Territories, Canada.
The contract was put out to tender by The Northern Contaminated Sites Branch (NCSB) within Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), which is responsible for a portfolio of abandoned mine sites. One of NCSB’s major projects is the Giant Mine Remediation Project (GMRP). A former underground gold mine, Giant Mine, covers 949 hectares within the city limits of the City of Yellowknife. 3D holographic augmented reality visualizations of the Giant Mine site have been coded using BGC Engineering’s proprietary Ada Platform, allowing users to view these visualizations with an augmented reality headset. This allows participants to explore the site remotely, and visualize how the site will look post-closure.
The contract itself consists of a requirement for up to one Standing Offer for services to enhance the existing 3D holographic augmented reality visualizations of the Giant Mine site projected onto an augmented reality headset; (Microsoft HoloLens, or equivalent) on an “if and when requested” basis.
The work under the proposed Standing Offer is actually a continuation of work that has already been completed by BGC Engineering, and includes developing additional views within existing holographic models, modifying and refining existing holographic models and views, as well as participating in community and industry engagement activities to demonstrate these visualizations to stakeholders and answer related questions.
The contract award notice stated that “BGC Engineering Inc. is the only known supplier to have the required knowledge and experience with augmented and virtual reality in open pit mining, underground mining, mine closure, mine remediation, and familiarity with the Giant Mine site to perform the work.”
The full value of the contract is CAD $303,187.50, and it was awarded January 14, 2020.
Video credit: BGC Engineering/YouTube
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Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.