How Drones are Radically Improving Mining Inspections
In the mining industry, the integration of drone technology has proven to be transformative for inspections. Drones are not only enhancing the precision and quality of data acquisition, but also elevating safety standards and reducing operational costs. At Flyability, we build drones that provide mapping, photos, and data of otherwise inaccessible places.
The Elios 3 is a drone ready to tackle the hazards of mine inspections. Relying on the power of computer vision and LiDAR mapping, Elios 3 is a versatile tool that opens doors to a world where performing systematic inspections does not require months of training, reporting is done intuitively on a 3D model of your asset, and situational awareness is built into the piloting app.
How drones improve safety
Drones can ensure massive improvements in safety while working in a mine. A drone like the Elios 3 gathers detailed visual data of a stope area and allows miners to perform safety assessments and make an informed decision about whether a stope is safe to enter or not. They can also fly through and around the stockpile feeder, mills, flotation cell, and even the crusher, collecting high-quality visual data as it goes – data that are usually better than the manually collected data. Mine inspectors don’t have to enter dangerous confined spaces, be exposed to falling debris or noxious fumes, or stand on scaffolding at potentially dangerous heights.
When it comes to mine development and exploration, the Elios 3 can also detect early warning signs of instability and provide information to keep everyone safe. In surface mining, stockpiles create sloped terrain that requires continuous stability monitoring. Instead of sending miners into inaccessible areas to conduct stability analysis, surface mapping, ventilation modeling, and detect hazardous gasses, the mine inspectors can use a drone to gather the information they need. Elios 3 is the only drone that can handle confined and tight spaces with reduced visibility, poor air quality, and signal interruptions in a much more efficient way than if the work was performed by a human.
Before drilling and blasting begins, a model can be created by flying the drone to create a historical record check to analyze the after-effects of the work. An updated version of the model allows miners to make data-driven decisions about potential hazards from drilling and blasting in the future.
Cost savings and downtime reduction
Indoor drones will keep your people safe and can save you money across multiple departments. The Elios 3 provides high-quality visual data that can help workers identify remaining ore and other geotechnical areas of interest that might otherwise be missed. These findings represent huge savings for mining operations as they become more profitable and eventually raise opportunities to expand extraction. While collecting detailed insights on the conditions within stopes, a drone can also provide information on expensive machinery, like muckers, that can protect them from falling debris. With a drone the inspections can be performed during operations, avoiding the prolonged downtime usually needed for inspections and work to catch the need for maintenance early to reduce unscheduled downtime.
Collect data for multiple departments
Indoor drones can provide access to visual data collection that is almost impossible to achieve using any other tool or method. Elios 3’s unique cage design allows it to collide with objects inside confined spaces and continue flying. Furthermore, Elios 3 provides high definition 4K video and high-quality images, along with stabilization and unique lighting features to let pilots home in on important details in the imagery they capture.
Drone data can also be used to create 3D models, which can further help mining personnel understand the conditions inside of a stope. These images and data can provide insights for operations, engineering, survey, and safety departments within a mining operation, which can then be used in the ongoing development of the stope.
Volumetric monitoring
Volumetric measurement is the science of calculating how much material is left in a stockpile of mining materials. The integration of a mine drone allows quick deployment with reliable volume data, tracks variations in stockpiles calculates how much material has been excavated from a particular area and approximates how much backfill would be needed to fill a stope. As more 3D models are obtained, it’s easier to analyze data and see changes over time.
Inspections are mandatory but complexity is not. The Elios 3 is an investment in the simplification of inspections for the mining industry. View our recent case study with Glencore Kidd to see how they improved efficiency in their mining operations with the Elios 3. If you wish to learn more, visit our website or contact us to discuss how you can use our indoor drone in your mine.
We will be on the road in Canada to do live demonstrations of our Elios 3! Join us in Mississauga on October 17th or Montreal on October 19th. Secure your spot today!