Drones & Terrestrial LiDAR scanners: the winning formula for operational success

Drones & Terrestrial LiDAR Scanners: The Winning Formula For Operational Success

Mines with both drones & Terrestrial LiDAR scanners can gain tremendous operational benefits by combining these two technologies.

These technologies are often used individually, each performing separate functions. However, cooperatively using drones & scanners allows you to combat the individual shortcomings associated with each.

Moreover, you can gain a more comprehensive & accurate dataset for multiple mining applications that can be confidently relied on.

Here is all you need to know about combining both drones (which make use of photogrammetry) & Terrestrial LiDAR scanners for increased survey data quality & improved operational effectiveness:

Combining drones & Terrestrial LiDAR scanners

The benefits of drones include the ability to cover large areas (approximately hundreds of acres) in a relatively short space of time & they can be deployed in hazardous or inaccessible areas (e.g. unstable highwalls or rockfaces) keeping your survey teams out of harm’s way.

Terrestrial scanners on the other h& offer high data accuracies up to the millimetre level & are easily set-up in an array of areas where data is to be collected. However, it is important to note that multiple setups & overlap are required to accurately survey the entire area of interest.

Moreover, Terrestrial scanners are also relatively versatile & can be used to meet varying objectives across multiple functions such as acquiring survey data, monitoring slope stability, calculating stockpile volumes, mapping geological structures & much more.

With drones & Terrestrial LiDAR scanners being among the most used surveying technologies in mining, the likelihood of both being found on site is very high. Despite this, the cooperative use of these technologies is not nearly as common.

In general, drones & scanners are used in silos but if used together they have the capacity to produce very accurate data & nullify the disadvantages associated with each for improve operational effectiveness.

Nevertheless, these technologies combined require highly accurate GCP points to ensure data accuracy & continuity.

For example, Rocketmine – a leader in mine surveying & mapping, deploys drones to capture photogrammetric data by flying over large areas of interest.

Rocketmine then compliments this by capturing point cloud data using stationary LiDAR scanners to assist clients with their daily volumetrics, progressions & site mapping.

Additionally, Rocketmine uses Terrestrial LiDAR scanners to periodically conduct audit scans of various sections of the area of interest, ensuring that photogrammetric datasets are correct & of the highest standards of accuracy & quality, safeguarding against cost increases resulting from inaccurate data.

The Final Word

Any surveyor will tell you that a solid mining operation hinges on accurate survey-grade data.

By incorporating both drones & Terrestrial LiDAR scanners, you can improve data accuracy, better adhere to the mining plan, lower costs & ensure fewer downstream issues.

Therefore, the case for combining these two technologies lies in their ability to holistically improve the data collection process & better serve your on-site needs.

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