Drone-Based Site Surveying for Mining & Quarry Operations

Overview

Drone site surveying replaces slow, hazardous ground surveys with rapid, high-accuracy aerial mapping. By capturing overlapping imagery and GNSS-referenced data, drones deliver centimeter-level terrain information used for planning haul roads, pit design, and infrastructure layout. This approach drastically cuts survey time, increases worker safety, and provides repeatable datasets for operational tracking.

Process Flow

Reference Image

Relevant Outcomes / Deliverables

Deliverable	Format	Usage
Orthomosaic Map	GeoTIFF	Base map for design & planning
DEM / DTM	GeoTIFF / LAS	Elevation modeling
Contour Map	DXF / SHP	Mine layout and cut–fill planning
Survey Report	PDF / CSV	Regulatory submission

Achievable Accuracy

Parameter	Typical Accuracy	Depends On
Horizontal Accuracy	±2–3 cm	RTK calibration & GCPs
Vertical Accuracy	±5 cm	Flight altitude & terrain

Key Advantages

• 10× faster survey cycles
• Minimal human exposure to hazard zones
• Highly repeatable for progress tracking
• Seamless integration with mine planning software

Compatible Platforms

• Multirotor (Skywing90)
• VTOL (Sentinel) for large sites

Supported Sensors

• RGB 20–45 MP
• LiDAR (optional)
• RTK / PPK modules

Industry Segments

• Mining
• Quarry Operations
• Cement Plants
• Construction Materials Industry