Drones and underground inspections

Authors: Stapper, I Download Paper

Cite As:
Stapper, I 2024, 'Drones and underground inspections', in Daniel Johansson & Håkan Schunnesson (eds), MassMin 2024: Proceedings of the International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, pp. 1144-1148.



Abstract:
The purpose of the presentation is to present, discuss and analyze several real-life applications in which UAVs - unmanned aerial vehicles - have assisted underground mining operations in confined spaces that normally cannot be explored without significant risks for the personnel. The presentation will focus on the HSE benefits, as well as the substantial gains in terms of reduced downtime of various critical assets - e.g. crushers; conveyor belts - and overall cost reductions compared to traditional means of inspections. Finally, this presentation will show how the latest payload integrations with drones such as LiDAR modules can bring an increased level of accuracy for measurements in areas that normally cannot be analyzed, and how this technology can be used across the entire mining process: from blasting; to extraction and storage.