Measure What Moves
Mining operations move massive volumes daily. Accurate measurement is essential for inventory, planning, and compliance. IoT fleets deliver precision at scale.
Fleet Types in Mining
| Fleet Type | Devices | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial | Survey drones, inspection drones | Stockpile measurement, pit surveys, blast analysis |
| Ground Vehicles | Haul trucks, loaders, drills | Equipment tracking, telematics, production monitoring |
| Fixed IoT | Pit sensors, ventilation monitors, gas detectors | Safety monitoring, environmental compliance |
All device types share the same architecture: edge AI, NATS JetStream messaging, and unified fleet management.
The Challenge
Mining and resource extraction operations face measurement challenges:
- Volume accuracy — Traditional surveys have 10-15% error; that’s millions in miscounted inventory
- Survey frequency — Ground surveys are slow; conditions change faster than you can measure
- Safety access — Unstable stockpiles, active haul roads, blast zones limit ground access
- Scale — Open pit mines span kilometers; underground operations have limited visibility
- Environmental compliance — Regulators require accurate disturbed area tracking
Quarterly ground surveys can’t keep pace with daily operations. Satellite imagery lacks the resolution for accurate volumetrics.
How IoT Fleets Solve This
Aerial: High-Frequency Measurement
Survey more often with better accuracy:
- Daily flyovers — Track stockpile changes in real-time
- Centimeter accuracy — RTK GPS and photogrammetry deliver sub-2% volume error
- Complete coverage — Survey entire site, not just accessible areas
- Consistent methodology — Same process every time, comparable results
Ground: Equipment Intelligence
Haul trucks, loaders, and drills with real-time tracking:
- Fleet telematics — Location, speed, fuel, engine hours, payload
- Production tracking — Tons moved, cycles completed, efficiency metrics
- Maintenance alerts — Engine codes, service intervals, tire pressure
- Collision avoidance — Proximity detection, personnel safety
Fixed IoT: Safety & Environment
Sensors throughout the operation:
- Gas detectors — Methane, CO, oxygen levels in confined spaces
- Ventilation monitors — Airflow in underground operations
- Ground movement — Slope stability, settlement detection
- Dust monitors — Environmental compliance, worker safety
Operational Intelligence
Beyond measurement:
- Blast planning — Pre and post-blast surveys for fragmentation analysis
- Haul road optimization — Grade analysis and maintenance prioritization
- Water management — Monitor pond levels and drainage patterns
- Reclamation tracking — Document progressive rehabilitation
Onboard AI (Edge Processing)
Real-time inference on NVIDIA Jetson for immediate insights:
| Capability | Mining Application |
|---|---|
| Stockpile Detection | Identify and classify material piles automatically |
| Volume Estimation | Real-time rough volume during flight |
| Vehicle Detection | Track haul trucks, loaders, and personnel |
| Safety Zone Monitoring | Detect unauthorized access to restricted areas |
| Change Detection | Identify significant changes since last survey |
Why Edge Matters:
- Process data on-site, reduce upload requirements
- Immediate alerts for safety breaches
- Continue operations with limited connectivity
- Quick feedback for survey completeness
Cloud AI (Fleet Analytics)
Via NATS JetStream, optimize across the entire operation:
| Capability | Mining Application |
|---|---|
| Volumetric Trending | Track material movement over days, weeks, months |
| Inventory Reconciliation | Compare drone measurements to production records |
| Cut/Fill Analysis | Calculate earth movement for planning accuracy |
| Progress Monitoring | Track extraction against mine plan |
| Compliance Reporting | Generate reports for environmental regulators |
Why Cloud Matters:
- Aggregate measurements across multiple sites
- Historical comparison for trend analysis
- Integration with mine planning software
- Support audit and compliance requirements
Hardware Configuration
For mining deployments, we recommend:
| Component | Selection | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Airframe | Industrial fixed-wing or heavy-lift multirotor | Endurance for large sites, wind tolerance |
| Flight Controller | Pixhawk 6X | Reliable in dusty, vibration-heavy environments |
| Sensor Companion | Raspberry Pi CM4 | RTK GPS and camera coordination |
| AI Companion | Jetson Orin Nano | On-site processing, vehicle detection |
| Survey Camera | 45MP+ with mechanical shutter | Sharp images for photogrammetry |
| RTK GPS | Dual-frequency receivers | Centimeter positioning accuracy |
| LiDAR | Optional solid-state | Direct 3D measurement through vegetation |
Full hardware specifications →
Use Cases
Stockpile Measurement
Daily volume surveys for inventory management. ROM, product, and waste stockpiles with material classification.
Pit Survey
Regular topographic surveys for mine planning. Track extraction progress against design.
Haul Road Inspection
Grade analysis, surface condition assessment, and maintenance planning.
Blast Analysis
Pre-blast surveys for planning. Post-blast surveys for fragmentation and muckpile volume.
Tailings Monitoring
Dam inspection, beach surveys, and water level tracking for safety and compliance.
Exploration Support
Rapid terrain mapping for new areas. Geological feature identification.
Integration
Mining operations require integration with existing systems:
- Mine Planning Software — Export to Deswik, Surpac, MineSight
- Fleet Management — Correlate with truck dispatch systems
- ERP Integration — Feed inventory data to SAP, Oracle
- Environmental Systems — Compliance documentation and reporting
Our architecture provides:
- Standard format exports (LAS, DXF, GeoTIFF)
- API integration for automated workflows
- Scheduled surveys with automatic processing
- Historical data retention for audits
Technical Deep Dive
This application is built on our production-grade fleet architecture:
| Component | Role in Mining |
|---|---|
| NATS Topology | Coordinates surveys across multiple pits and sites |
| Vehicle Gateway | RTK positioning, survey processing |
| JetStream Streams | Survey history, volume trends |
| Safety Model | Fail-safe operation in active mining areas |
Get Started
Every percentage point of volume accuracy represents significant value. Let’s discuss your surveying requirements.