How Drones Are Used

Drones optimize mining operations by delivering safer, faster, and more accurate data across exploration, production, and safety management.

Mine Mapping & Surveying: Conduct aerial topographic surveys for pit design, volumetric analysis, and expansion planning with centimeter-level accuracy.

Stockpile Management: Capture precise 3D volumetric data for inventory tracking and reconciliation without interrupting operations.

Environmental & Compliance Monitoring: Monitor runoff, tailings, vegetation, and dust control to meet regulatory and ESG requirements.

Blast Planning & Inspection: Map blast zones, verify safety perimeters, and inspect highwalls or benches before and after detonation.

Asset & Infrastructure Inspection: Assess conveyor systems, haul roads, and processing plants using visual and thermal sensors to detect wear, leaks, or inefficiencies.

How 3D Scanners Are Used

3D scanners give mining operators unmatched accuracy for measurement, maintenance, and safety documentation.

Geotechnical & Structural Analysis: Capture precise surface data to monitor wall stability, slope movement, and ground deformation.

Post-Blast & Volume Verification: Use 3D scans(open pit and underground) to measure exact material movement and confirm blast performance against design targets.

Maintenance & Asset Documentation: Digitally capture conveyors, crushers, and processing facilities to plan repairs and prevent costly downtime.

Safety & Incident Investigation: Recreate events or hazardous zones in detail to analyze root causes and improve operational safety standards.

Training & Simulation: Create accurate digital replicas of mine environments for workforce training and safety drills.

Environmental & Sensor Requirements

Reliable mining data depends on rugged equipment and precision sensors built to perform in extreme, high-demand environments.

Operating Conditions: Choose airframes and scanners with dustproof, heat-tolerant, and vibration-resistant designs suitable for mining environments.

Sensor Payloads:

EO (RGB) High-resolution imaging for mapping, inspection, and monitoring.
Thermal (IR) Detect overheating in machinery and monitor temperature-sensitive operations.
LiDAR Capture terrain and elevation data even through dust or low-light conditions.

Accuracy & Positioning: Use RTK/PPK-enabled drones and scanners to achieve sub-centimeter accuracy for surveying and design validation.

Data Integration: Manage large datasets via secure cloud or local systems for seamless reporting and operational analytics.

FARO Orbis

FARO Orbis is used for mobile, high-speed scanning across large mining surfaces, enabling volumetric checks, rock face monitoring, and frequent site-wide condition captures. It excels in capturing complex terrain and assisting deformation/convergence analysis on slopes or walls

DJI Dock 3

Mining sites use the DJI Dock 3 as a “drone-in-a-box” station to automate frequent aerial inspections and mapping tasks without requiring constant pilot intervention. The dock supports fixed or mobile installation (even vehicle-mounted), enabling scheduled launches for stockpile measurement, pit edge monitoring, terrain change detection, and slope surveillance.

FARO Focus

The FARO Focus laser scanner is deployed on the ground to capture high-precision 3D geometry of structures, tunnels, and critical surfaces. In mining contexts, it documents wall profiles, structural degradation, underground galleries, and collapsed zones.

DJI Matrice 400

The M400 platform is widely adopted for its payload flexibility, long flight endurance, and environmental resilience — especially in the harsh conditions of mining sites. It supports integrated LiDAR, multispectral, thermal, or high-resolution RGB sensors and can carry up to 6 kg of payload.