SPECIAL FOCUS: DRONES
DRONES I
DEEP DIVE INTO
Expert in the sector discusses autonomous drones for mining operations
n the wake of the 2018 commodities market crash, mining operators re-evaluated portfolios, streamlined operations and exploratory eff orts,
and reduced energy consumption. T is ability to adjust, combined with recovering commodity prices, ultimately fuelled a 23% rise in revenues after the crash. But even as profits returned, operators realised the importance of finding new, cutting-edge technologies to improve effi ciency and bolster margins. To this end, mining operators have increasingly turned to automation to improve worker safety, reduce operational costs and boost productivity. T e mining automation market - which was valued at US$2.22 billion in 2017 – is projected to grow to US$3.29 billion by 2023. Autonomous drones are a rapidly
growing factor in mining operations automation. T eir use can deliver lower operational costs, increased productivity, lower safety and regulatory risks, better overall performance, and in-depth data collection that helps mine operations work smarter, not harder.
IMPROVING PILE INSPECTION Mining operators that stockpile goods have historically fared better through supply and market fluctuations. Yet mining stockpiles are massive. For example, China has reportedly stockpiled enough iron ore to build 13,000 Eiff el Towers. Ensuring the
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quality and measuring the quantity of these stockpiles is crucial but requires resource- intensive inspections that are cost and time prohibitive. Current stockpile inspection regimes
involve manned teams that measure stockpiles stretching across large areas of land. Gathering data often involves either dangerous methods, such as climbing on stockpiles with GPS equipment, or expensive alternatives such as 3D imaging and laser inspection, or hiring manned aircraft to fly over sites. By operating autonomous drones, companies can reduce employee exposure to such dangerous situations while cost-
The Sparrow solution at a mining site
Percepto’s Sparrow drone
eff ectively and accurately carrying out inspections daily rather than yearly or quarterly. Advanced autonomous drone solutions enable operators to automate inventory management with pre-scheduled missions that provide data seamlessly and without the expense of a human pilot. Additionally, companies can use autonomous drones to carry out site surveillance, including videos, photos and tracking capabilities.
AIDING AREA CLEARANCE For mining operations, work begins well before a given site enters the production phase. Exploration eff orts make sure
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