UAV Imaging is Becoming a Mining Standard
Mining companies are still developing understanding of what the potential applications are which make UAV usage viable (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). However, the technology is currently becoming indispensable due to the various solutions they offer. These unmanned aircraft can add great value in various areas of exploration and development, safety and security and operational productivity.
While UAVs can be expensive, the cost is negligible when considering a human life, considering the variety of dangerous situations which present themselves at mining sites. Surveying a new area can be difficult on foot, even difficult for a helicopter in tight situations. UAVs can help alleviate common burdens of mining completely, from the loss human life, accessing difficult locations and budget concerns.
They are Extremely Affordable Compared to Helicopters
One of the more efficient ways to survey new land is via helicopter or small plane. Unfortunately, these aircraft can cost literally thousands of dollars to rent and use, and sometimes the video footage is not as clear or exact as is required. Flying a second or third pass over a specific filming area can be repeated, but achieving the exact same angle if a precision shot is required can be difficult if not impossible. UAVs assisted by software can fly very demanding patterns with numerous waypoints at different speeds and altitudes; these programmed routes can be
repeated numerous times with pinpoint accuracy. With the introductions of UAVs, quality has increased while price and time wasted have decreased significantly. Just the mobility of a UAV versus a helicopter saves tremendous amounts of effort and money. And with an experienced operator, UAVs can be flown in very cramped spaces, both outdoors and indoors which is impossible to achieve by helicopter.
They Can Save Lives
What if we could send UAVs into dangerous situations instead of risking more lives? UAVs can be deployed on rescue missions searching for workers who have gone missing. They can also monitor the effectiveness of equipment and safe usage of machinery so as to avoid any mishaps. UAVs can also take ultra high definition aerial photos and video of any specific site to survey new potential locations along with existing sites. While this is also technically possible to achieve by helicopter or plane, it can be very expensive, which is not the case when hiring UAVs.
They Can Save Time
Since UAVs are lightweight, they are extremely quick on their “feet”, and are much faster than walking, sometimes even driving to a location. For this reason, they make extremely effective scouts. If there is a problem at a location that needs to be investigated, often sending a person out to review and report the problem is the only solution. With UAVs however, the issue can be assessed at its location without a single step taken, eliminating the human element almost entirely. Operators capable of offering FPV technology (First Person View) enable anyone standing next to the operator the benefit of watching the UAVs real-time camera view in high definition, giving the client immediate feedback.
