You need to map a mining site. What are the best drones for the job?

If you need to map a mining site, you might be wondering what are the best drones for the job. Mapping a mining site can be challenging, as you have to deal with complex terrain, variable weather, and safety hazards. In this article, we will help you choose the right drones for your mapping needs, based on some key factors and features.

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1 Drone Type

The first thing to consider is what type of drone you need for your mapping project. There are two main types of drones: fixed-wing and multi-rotor. Fixed-wing drones have wings like an airplane and can fly faster and longer than multi-rotor drones, which have propellers and can hover and maneuver in tight spaces. Fixed-wing drones are ideal for mapping large and flat areas, while multi-rotor drones are better for mapping small and rugged areas.

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Gabriel Andrade, MSC

Project manager at Iskool Videos for Civil Construction and director of photography at Gabribas Produções
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No caso da mineração geralmente são locais bastante acidentados, sendo recomendável trabalhar com Drones multirotores devido a sua facilidade de decolagem e pouso.

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Geraldo Cartolano

Technical Support Analyst| Electronic Technician | ROV Pilot | Integration Technician
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Eu acho muito interessante o conceito de drones híbridos, ou seja, dependendo do projeto ele se auto configura em asas fixas ou não, vc tem o melhor dos dois mundos.

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2 Camera Quality

The second factor to look at is the quality of the camera that your drone has. The camera is the most important component of your mapping drone, as it captures the images that you will use to create your map. You want a camera that has a high resolution, a wide field of view, and a good dynamic range. Resolution refers to the number of pixels that the camera can capture, and affects the level of detail and accuracy of your map. Field of view refers to the angle that the camera can cover, and affects the amount of area that you can map in one flight. Dynamic range refers to the ability of the camera to handle different levels of light and contrast, and affects the quality and clarity of your images.

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Gabriel Andrade, MSC

Project manager at Iskool Videos for Civil Construction and director of photography at Gabribas Produções
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O tamanho do sensor da câmera é tipo de lente utilizada são fatores essenciais. Atualmente existem bons Drones com câmeras de sensor 1 polegada, resolução de 20MP e lentes grande angulares em torno de 20mm que garantem uma boa qualidade de imagem para esse tipo de serviço. Quanto maior a altura do voo menor a resolução, quando menor a altura do sobrevoo maior a resolução.

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Geraldo Cartolano

Technical Support Analyst| Electronic Technician | ROV Pilot | Integration Technician
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Acho que além da resolução outro fator a considerar é a capacidade da câmera em lidar com outros comprimentos de onda, como infra-vermelho e ultra-violeta, existe um grande mercado ainda pouco explorado nesse segmento.

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3 Flight Time

The third factor to consider is the flight time of your drone. Flight time is the duration that your drone can fly on a single battery charge, and affects the efficiency and productivity of your mapping project. You want a drone that has a long flight time, so that you can cover more ground and reduce the number of flights and battery swaps. Flight time depends on several factors, such as the weight, speed, and power consumption of your drone, as well as the weather conditions and altitude.

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Gabriel Andrade, MSC

Project manager at Iskool Videos for Civil Construction and director of photography at Gabribas Produções
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Alguns Drones da linha industrial da fabricante DJI, por exemplo, já possuem sistema de 2 baterias e autonomia de voo de aproximadamente 40min. Outros Drones mais simples tem autonomias similares, mas talvez não resistam as condições de vento e insalubridade das minas.

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Geraldo Cartolano

Technical Support Analyst| Electronic Technician | ROV Pilot | Integration Technician
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Gostaria que alguém criasse um sistema automático de hotswap das baterias, onde os drones pudessem eles mesmos se abasteceram sem interferência humana.

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4 Software Compatibility

The fourth factor to look at is the software compatibility of your drone. Software compatibility is the ability of your drone to work with the mapping software that you use to process and analyze your images. You want a drone that has a software compatibility that matches your mapping software, so that you can easily transfer and integrate your data and avoid compatibility issues. Some drones come with their own mapping software, while others are compatible with third-party software.

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Geraldo Cartolano

Technical Support Analyst| Electronic Technician | ROV Pilot | Integration Technician
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Esse é um campo espinhoso, algo parecido com a briga Windows vs Linux. O fabricante do drone sempre deseja vender o software proprietário que agrega valor ao seu produto. Não me importo se os produtos possuírem capacidades e features distintas, mas os dados sempre devem se intercompativeis com outros fabricantes, isso deveria ser uma máxima desse mercado.

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5 Durability and Safety

The fifth and final factor to consider is the durability and safety of your drone. Durability and safety are the qualities of your drone that determine how well it can withstand and avoid damage and accidents. You want a drone that has a high durability and safety, especially when mapping a mining site, where there are many potential hazards and risks. Durability depends on the materials, design, and quality of your drone, while safety depends on the features, sensors, and systems that your drone has.

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Geraldo Cartolano

Technical Support Analyst| Electronic Technician | ROV Pilot | Integration Technician
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Durabilidade e Segurança se traduz em custo, quanto mais um drone se adere a esses aspectos mais caro ele será. A Durabilidade pode ser "trocada" por peças e partes mais baratas, e a segurança envolve procedimentos e normas a serem seguidos.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Geraldo Cartolano

Technical Support Analyst| Electronic Technician | ROV Pilot | Integration Technician
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A possibilidade da existência de gases explosivos no interior da mina, e se é possível fazer um mapeamento da concentração desses gases com sensores adaptados ao drone. Outro sensor que poderia ser interessante seria um microfone que captasse sons , seria possível saber da existência de seres vivos e da presença de água em locais que as câmeras não pudesses detectar.

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You need to map a mining site. What are the best drones for the job?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Drone Type

2 Camera Quality

3 Flight Time

4 Software Compatibility

5 Durability and Safety

6 Here’s what else to consider

Drones

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You need to map a mining site. What are the best drones for the job?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Drone Type

2 Camera Quality

3 Flight Time

4 Software Compatibility

5 Durability and Safety

6 Here’s what else to consider

Drones

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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