Estimating Stockpile Volume: The Benefits of Using Drones in Mining, Construction, and Aggregates Operations

The measurement of stockpiles is a crucial operation in various industries such as mining, construction, and aggregates. Traditionally, this process involved manual data collection, which was time-consuming, costly, and potentially dangerous. However, with the advancement of drone technology and software, volumetric drone surveys have emerged as a reliable solution to eliminate these issues.

Drone mapping software such as DJI Terra or Esri Site Scan can be used to pre-plan flights on drones like the Phantom 4 RTK to automate data collection. The data collected is then input into a drone mapping platform to create high-resolution 2D maps and 3D models. This process simplifies stockpile management, providing rich data in a short amount of time.

For instance, SUEZ used DJI's low-altitude mapping solution, the Phantom 4 RTK, to collect their stockpile data. With drones, it is possible to fly over a compound in just 15 minutes and process the model in about two hours. This is significantly faster than traditional methods, which can take up to a day to measure stockpiles and process the data.

Craig Matthews of Balfour Beatty highlights the benefits of using drones for stockpile management, stating that it would take a surveyor using traditional handheld equipment around a day to measure the stockpiles and process the data. However, with drones, this can be done in just 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Drone software uses the drone data to build visual maps and models for analysis, calculations, and team-wide collaboration. This not only saves time but also reduces costs and enhances safety. Moreover, drones have become a key tool for stockpile measurements and volumetric analysis.

In conclusion, estimating stockpile volume using drones is a game-changer in various industries. With its accuracy, speed, and ease of use, drone technology has simplified the process of measuring stockpiles, making it safer, easier, and quicker to obtain highly-accurate data. Whether you work in construction, mining, or aggregates, incorporating drones into your stockpile management workflow can revolutionize your operations.

Estimating stockpile volume