This study focuses on assessing the iPhone 13 pro and 5th iPad Pro laser scanning abilities to create 3D models of mine drifts with sufficient detail to retrieve geological and geotechnical features and elaborate immersive Virtual Reality models.

A drift of the Neves-Corvo mine was scanned using the iPhone 12 Pro, the 5th generation iPad Pro, the Faro Focus S70 laser scanner and the Leica MS60 multistation. The apple devices scans were collected by mobile laser scanning while the other by terrestrial laser scanning. These scans were subject to a quantitative analysis, regarding the resolution, time-effectiveness, user-friendliness and density. A qualitative analysis of the Apple’s and Faro’s scans was conducted regarding their capability of retrieving color and imagery, and thus applicability to assess geological and geotechnical features. Furthermore, the possibility to create Virtual Reality models from the apple and Faro scans was evaluated. Lastly, one of the scans retrieved with the iPhone 13 Pro was used to successfully perform rock mass classification through the Q-System. The apple devices revealed adequate resolution and point density to correctly represent the mine drift, despite inferior values than the scans captured with the Faro Focus laser scanner. On the other hand, the iPhone and iPad were more proficient in retrieving the color of the rock mass and presented a quicker and more user-friendly option to create VR models, due to the higher compatibility between the different software and inferior size of the scans.