Mining is a multibillion-dollar industry that spans the world and presents a range of unique needs. Large areas must be mapped, roads and paths planned both horizontally and vertically. Buildings and personnel must be brought in and continuously supplied. And all of this has to be done in harsh, remote environments. 

Small drones are revolutionizing markets worldwide, and the mining industry is no exception. Precise imaging, accurate mapping, and progress tracking are ideal tasks for small quadcopters like our flagship EVO II series and the larger tilt-rotor VTOL Dragonfish. 

Fly High

Many mines, especially those in South America, are at over 4000 meters. Thin air at high altitudes can dramatically affect a drone’s flight time. The Autel EVO II series is built with high-altitude missions in mind, with a maximum takeoff height of 5,000 meters and a flight ceiling of 7,000 meters, for maximum performance and minimal loss of endurance. 

The Dragonfish is even more capable, combining VTOL flexibility with fixed-wing endurance. Fixed-wing flight is far more efficient than multirotor flight, giving the drone increased time on site in any environment. 

Reclamation 

An increasingly important part of mining is the environmental restoration afterward. Drones make it easy to track the planning and progress of the reclamation process, especially with Autel’s autonomous mission planning and execution. 

Precision and Accuracy

Accuracy is essential when mapping areas. The EVO II V3 RTK gives centimeter-accurate positioning data with minimal ground control points. It pairs with the NTRIP satellite system to correct positioning errors and create the most accurate area maps. 

The Dragonfish can cover larger areas, creating maps that, while slightly less accurate than the EVO II V3 RTK, are still high-quality orthomosaics that help developers plan routes, observe natural obstacles, and monitor building projects over a wide area. 

All-Around Asset 

Our drones’ ease of use, automation, and camera quality give eyes in the sky to a wide range of tasks. 

Companies can monitor the progress of building, demolition, or mining projects. They can keep track of valuable equipment or monitor security situations. They can help monitor output, inventories, and safety situations for government or corporate oversight. Topographical and orthographic software systems currently in development will further aid mining companies by allowing drones to map sites and help plan the efficient flow of materials, vehicles, and tools. 

For any job that requires precise data in a demanding environment, Autel Robotics will get it done.