CBI team begins 3-D laser survey

The CBI, investigating illegal mining by the Associated Mining Company (AMC), owned by former minister G Janardhana Reddy, began its 3-D laser survey of the mining areas, on Thursday.

The CBI officials, who began their work on April 14, completed the total station survey by Thursday morning and began the 3-D laser survey in the afternoon.

Under the total station survey, the team has gathered comprehensive information with the help of global positioning system (GPS).

The 3-D laser survey will give a clear picture on the amount of ore extracted from the area, its grade and other details pertaining to illegal mining. The information gathered under the 3-D laser survey will supplement the information gathered under the total station survey.

The 3-D laser survey helps in the scientific survey of 500 metres of the area simultaneously and can be extended upto 1,500 metres. The instrument was used for the first time in 1998 to conduct the survey of ore mines in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and other places.

Experts from Coal India Company in Singareni, who are familiar with the system, helped the CBI team in undertaking the 3-D survey. Prior to this, the CBI team had conducted 3-D laser survey of the mining areas belonging to Antaragangamma Konda (AGK), owned by G Janardhana Reddy, near Obulapuram in Andhra Pradesh.

The instrument can be utilised for the survey of accident spots involving aircraft, ship and motor vehicles.

According to sources, the 3-D laser survey will be continued for a couple of days.

Inspector Vivekanand from the CBI, Regional Forest Officer Nagireddy, Mahalingaiah from the Mines and Geology Department, staff of the Survey of India and those of the Indian Bureau of Mines formed part of the survey team. The local police provided security during the survey.