Drone Deploy – an online news site that reports on the commercial drone industry – recently included a report on Nelson Aggregate’s Uhthoff Quarry in Ontario, Canada, which noted using drones to conduct surveys of the quarry was “20 times faster” than traditional surveying methods.
Tecia White, a geologist and hydrogeologist contracted to work for the 566ha Canadian quarry, told the news site that as well as using drones to conduct much faster – and safer – surveys of the site, she also used the technology to map stockpiles, perform inventory and estimate how much overburden needed to be removed prior to the extraction of aggregates.
She also used drone technology to conduct aerial checks of heavy machinery for issues not visible to operators from the ground.
White was quoted as saying drone-based stockpile analysis is “miles ahead of standard surveying”.
She also explained that one of the greatest benefits of using drones on sites was their ability to improve worker safety, as it removed the requirement to have people on the ground in areas detrimental to safety.
“Anytime you can reduce the number of workers in a quarry it is going to reduce the chance of injury and improve overall safety,” White reportedly said, adding, “Drones allow us to do that.”
As previously reported by Quarry, Australian industry body the Minerals Council of Australia included in its recent Mining and METS: Engines of economic growth and prosperity for Australians report case studies on how Australian companies have used drones in mining operations that have proven essential to overall efficiency.
Nelson Aggregates is an aggregate mining and construction materials supply company that owns the Nelson Aggregate’s Uhthoff Quarry. Situated in Ontario, Canada, the company extracts, manufactures and distributes limestone, sand, gravel and asphalt products for the construction industry.
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