Many people think that drones are taking over the jobs of surveyors but in reality, drones
are not replacing surveyors. They are simply helping them do their jobs better.
According to a blog post from Trimble, AI and robotics have advanced far enough that
workers across industries share concern over being replaced. Surveyors often ask us if
drones will make their jobs unnecessary—but nothing could be further from the truth. In
fact, we’re passionate believers that drones are actively improving the professional
landscape for surveyors, engineers, contractors, and other earthworks professionals.
Various industries are integrating drones into their workflows as drone technology
becomes increasingly streamlined and accessible. Drones can dramatically increase
productivity and efficiency. As a result, drones are changing the way businesses operate
by reducing costs, saving time, improving safety, and ensuring a direct return on
investment. The use of drones has revolutionized surveying.
In the world of mining, surveying is a critical task that provides the vital data needed to
plan, operate, and maintain complex extraction sites. Traditionally, this work has
involved teams of surveyors painstakingly traversing rugged terrain, taking
measurements and observations by hand. However, a new tool is transforming the
surveyor’s role, the drone.
Drones are not replacing surveyors, but rather enhancing their capabilities in
remarkable ways. They are a valuable tool in a surveyor’s toolbox. Like any other tool,
they are only useful in conjunction with people, not instead of them. These unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) can quickly and safely gather data from large, inaccessible, and
hazardous areas of a mine site. Using high-resolution cameras and other specialized
sensors, drones can capture detailed aerial imagery, 3D models, and topographical
maps that would be extremely difficult and dangerous for human surveyors to obtain.
Here are some of the ways drones complement the work of surveyors
- Aerial Data Capture: Drones can quickly and safely capture aerial imagery and
data that would be difficult or dangerous for surveyors to obtain using traditional
methods. This data can then be used by surveyors to create more detailed and
accurate maps, models, and measurements. - Detailed 3D Modeling: The high-resolution aerial data collected by drones can be
processed into detailed 3D models of the mining site, providing surveyors with a
comprehensive digital representation that they can use for various analysis and
planning tasks. - Monitoring and Inspection: Drones can be programmed to conduct regular,
automated inspections of the mining site, monitoring for changes, potential
hazards, and progress over time. Surveyors can then use this data to identify
areas that require further investigation or intervention. - Improved Safety: By accessing hazardous or inaccessible areas with drones,
mining companies can reduce the risk to their surveying personnel, improving
overall safety and compliance with industry regulations.
Increased Productivity: The combination of drone-collected data and surveyor expertise
can lead to more efficient and effective decision-making, ultimately increasing the
productivity and cost-effectiveness of mining operations.
“Drones have become an invaluable asset for mine surveyors,” explains Jane Thompson,
a senior mining engineer. “They allow us to work faster, more safely, and with greater
accuracy than ever before. The data we can collect from a single drone survey is simply
astounding.” Drones make surveyors’ work safer and more enjoyable in the following
ways:
- Worksite safety: Drones can fly over hazardous terrain, eliminating the need for
surveyors to put themselves at risk. - Dispute resolution: A single, shared source of truth keeps everyone on the same
page, making disputes a rare occurrence. - Less redundant work: Bad or confusing data creates redundant work, which has
a massive downstream impact on your bottom line. This can be prevented with
fast, frequent surveys and updates one can share with all stakeholders. - Avoid downtime: Know ahead of time if a site isn’t ready for your crew—and get
the pictures to prove it. Our clients save thousands of dollars per day in avoided
downtime. - Worker satisfaction: Safer, more efficient worksites create happier employees,
reduce turnover, and boost workplace morale.
For example, from an article By Olivia Lewis on drone surveys a team of surveyors using
drones was able to map an entire 100-acre open-pit mine in just a few hours. The
detailed 3D model they generated provided crucial insights into the mine’s geography,
infrastructure, and excavation progress – information that would have taken weeks to
gather manually. Conventionally, it would take surveyors several weeks to carry out
such work without using drones.
Crucially, drone technology does not diminish the need for human expertise. Surveyors
are still essential for interpreting the vast amounts of data collected, identifying trends
and anomalies, and making informed decisions that drive mining operations forward.
Drones simply empower surveyors to work more efficiently and effectively.
Drones are not replacing surveyors but helping them work better. They quickly and
safely gather data from large and complex areas, aiding in creating detailed maps and
models. Human expertise is still needed for interpreting data, making decisions, and
managing projects. Surveyors using drones can work faster and more accurate.
As the mining industry continues to evolve, the partnership between surveyors and
drones will only grow stronger. By embracing this drone technology, making use of the
best surveying drones like the DJI Phantom 4 RTKa and Elios 3, mining companies can
optimise their operations, reduce risks, and stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly
competitive global market.
More on the surveying drones can be found on the following links:
– Drone Surveying: Best Survey Drones and More
