Drone enables us to observe the world in a more convenient and unique manner. It can be seen in many occasions for delivery, mapping, aerial photograph, monitoring and even proposal. Will the little drone also extend its skills in the massive mining industry? 

Actually through our research, it is found the drone has been applied in China’s mining industry for law enforcement, theft monitoring, remote sensing of geological environment and mine surveying.

Detailed Mapping

The detailed geological map is a must for pre-planning of mining exploitation. Since a fair proportion of China’s gravel enterprises are located in mountainous area, it is quite time and money consuming for site survey. At such time, a drone will be the most convenient and economical choice for surveying the site.

Quarry Modeling 

Compared with costly large air-mapping aircraft, the drone is more outstanding in the flexibility and effect. With high-resolution camera and auxiliary software, it can finish the mapping and surveying work as assigned through low-level flight.

Quarry Reserve Calculation

Professional personnel, together with GPS are generally required on the site for calculation of rock reserve. The drone can easily obtain accurate field data through different angles regardless of complex landform. Such data also facilitates quarry modeling.

Drone application in mining has been common abroad. According to Sydney Moring Herald on September 1, 2015, Rio Tinto, one of the global mining giants, will adopt drones to monitor production equipment and rocks reserve. There is great potential for the drones to be applied by the gravel enterprises for improving efficiency and saving cost.

On February 25, 2016, NSSGA held a web seminar on “Drone & Mining”, which aims at helping the industry personnel lean and apply such technology. They can learn how to take aerial pics for mine planning and how to calculate the quarry reserve with drones.   

It is unchangeable trend of mining industry to replace the manpower with intelligent machine. There will also be versatile applications for the drones. It’s believed that in the near future, the drones can be widely applied in China’s gravel aggregates industry for surveying, operation and monitoring, etc.