Mine drone use has been expanding rapidly across the mining sector, driven by benefits such as improved productivity, safety and reduced costs. There are a wide variety of uses for drones, including surveying and mapping; monitoring and inspection; site safety management; tailings dam management; blasting assessment and haul road optimization.
A recent survey¹ showed that the share of mines which have invested to some extent in drones has increased from 44% in 2018 to 65% in 2022, with mines in Australasia being the furthest advanced with 75% of respondents stating that they had either fully invested or made considerable investment in drone technology. The most common uses for drones were surveying and mapping, with 83% of mines interviewed using it for this purpose, followed by monitoring and inspection (68%), site safety (44%), stockpile management (42%) and tailings dam monitoring (21%).
Leading drone and drone software companies and suppliers in the mining sector include Airbiotics, Delair, Delta Drone International, Drone Deploy, Flyability, K2Fly, Kespry, Pix4D, SenseFly and Skycatch.
Finding the best drones for mining and drone software providers
Mining Technology has listed leading suppliers of drones and drone software, based on both its experience in the sector and mine-site research carried out by GlobalData.
From mapping and modelling to inspections, inventory management and rehabilitation, the list covers suppliers providing an extensive range of drones and drone software for the entire mining cycle.
The information contained within the download document is designed for geologists, mine managers, maintenance managers, safety managers, and any other individual involved in surveying, mapping, inspection and the many other uses of drones on mine sites.
The free Buyers Guide is available to download and contains detailed information on the suppliers and their product lines, alongside contact details to aid your purchasing decision.
Note: GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, is the parent company of Mining-Technology.com and provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
Frequently asked questions
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How are drones used in mining operations?
Drones are used in mining for surveying and mapping large areas quickly, monitoring and inspecting equipment, managing stockpiles, and optimising haul roads. They also contribute to tailings dam monitoring and site safety management. By providing real-time data, drones improve operational efficiency and safety.
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What are the benefits of using drones for surveying in mining?
Drones allow for fast, accurate, and cost-effective surveys of mine sites. They can capture high-resolution images and 3D models, reducing the need for manual surveying and increasing data accuracy, which improves planning and resource management.
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How do drones contribute to safety in mining?
Drones can access hazardous areas, reducing the need for human exposure to dangerous environments. They are used for inspection tasks, monitoring potential hazards, and assessing structural integrity of equipment or land, thus minimising risks to workers.
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What types of drones are commonly used in mining?
Common types include fixed-wing drones for large area mapping, and multi-rotor drones for detailed inspections and monitoring. Equipped with LiDAR, thermal imaging, and high-resolution cameras, these drones provide critical data for mine management and planning.
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How is drone data used in mine planning and management?
Drone data is used to create detailed topographic maps, monitor site changes, assess stockpile volumes, and optimise resource extraction. The real-time data helps improve decision-making processes, reduces operational costs, and enhances mine productivity.
