The Benefits Of UAV Surveying Within The Mining Industry
UAV surveys are quickly taking the mining industry by storm, due to the extremely advanced laser scanning technology that is embedded into the drones, as well as their small and easily transferable system meaning that we can conduct advanced aerial surveys.
UAVs are the technology that is used to conduct these surveys, standing for ‘unmanned aerial vehicles”. They are extremely advanced laser scanning technology that is embedded into the drones, as well as their small and easily transferable system meaning that we can conduct advanced aerial surveys.
Alongside our various mobile mapping technologies, UAVs are integral pieces of equipment that are used by us at Mining Surveys and other major mining surveyors. From opencast mining surveys to quarry surveys, they are fundamental in providing highly accurate and successful surveys altogether. Therefore, this article will explore what UAV mapping really is, as well as the main benefits of applying UAVs to your mining surveys.
What Is UAV Survey Mapping?
Essentially, UAV survey mapping is when drones are loaded with cameras and other special photogrammetry software, forming a special system that can travel thousands of miles to provide advanced geospatial data of the examined area.
Once the cameras have captured hundreds of overlapping photographs, they are automatically converted into a detailed DTM (digital terrain model). This data can then be transferred into a variety of formats to then be analysed and used to help plan a wide range of projects.
What Are The Main Benefits To Using UAVs Within Mining Surveys?
Mine surveying can be a dangerous task, with surveyors originally having to venture metres below a ground surface to take on projects that can pose hazardous consequences. With mines and quarries having limited access, the survey can not only be a difficult task to complete but also, an expensive one, requiring significant materials and equipment that can make completing mining surveys all the more challenging. Therefore, UAVs can assist in limiting the potential costs of mining surveys, whilst simultaneously increasing the overall safety levels.
There are multiple benefits to providing Lidar drone surveys, which is why the rest of this article will focus on the main five advantages to UAVs within mining surveying as a whole.
1. Accuracy
Above all, the most evident advantage to drones is that they are extremely precise and equipped with the most advanced technology, meaning that they can produce greatly-detailed results. Incorporating lidar payloads, drones are mounted with a laser scanner, a GPS and an Inertial Navigation System (INS) to be able to navigate and capture important information.
The data captured records at a much greater accuracy than other methods that have been previously used, such as terrestrial, manned aeroplane and satellite surveys. This is due to point cloud data having been collected and refers to every data point that is collected for each different geographical area. These data points that are collected pick up in-depth information about that particular area, producing a set of 3D coordinate measurements that can be captured in RGB, black and white and full colour.
2. Control
As UAVs are flight control systems, the user in charge of the drone uses a controller to launch, navigate and land the aircraft. Therefore, the drones are able to be fully controlled and directed to exactly where they are desired to go, with the GPS satellite providing exact coordinates that automatically instruct the user within the exact proximity it will be shown.
3. Increased Safety
UAVs have revolutionised mine surveying by limiting the risks associated with this type of environment and terrain, as the whole procedure is able to be conducted remotely. This is particularly crucial when conducting underground mining surveys, but can also be beneficial for opencast mining surveys too..
With the UAVs being a completely mobile system, this ensures that safety measures are met.. By not requiring users to have to walk through dangerous mining terrain or hazardous areas, drones are extremely safe to use and limit any potential danger.
4. Speed
Collecting data 90% faster than manual methods, drones can perform complex aerial surveys within a few minutes, compared to what would have originally taken a ground survey team significant weeks or even months.
Drone mapping is incredibly fast, moving at incredible fast speeds, with Jouav drones moving up to 100km/s. This not only saves time, but allows a multitude of data to be collected within a short period of time, increasing the efficiency of mining surveys altogether.
5. Cost
The costs of drones do vary depending on the exact way that it will be used within a mining survey, as well as the length of time that the survey would take to complete. However, UAVs can be relatively cost-effective and less expensive than many other surveying methods, whilst producing high-quality results.
UAVs Within Mining Surveys
UAVs have revolutionised the way that mining surveys are conducted, with this article having examined that they increase the safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of aerial surveys altogether. From the inbuilt technology providing hundreds of detailed data points to the rapid speed that the drones travel at, drones are integral surveying technology and we are able to provide a wide range of UAV services, including full-size fixed wing aircraft based aerial surveys almost anywhere in the world.
Get In Touch With Us To Discuss Your Next Mining Survey
If you are interested in finding out more about our aerial surveys within the mining industry and the other advanced technology in which we use to gain exceptional results, then contact us today.
Mining Survey is part of Merrett Survey, with over forty years of experience and expertise within the surveying industry. No matter what your query is regarding, our specialist mining survey team is looking forward to hearing from you soon.
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