Introduction
In the mining industry, stockpiles represent accumulated ore, waste, or processed materials that are critical for operational planning, inventory management, and financial reporting. Real-time volumetric analysis involves the rapid measurement and calculation of stockpile volumes using advanced sensing technologies to provide immediate and accurate data on material quantities. This process is essential for optimizing resource allocation, reducing losses, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have revolutionized this by enabling safe and efficient surveys over large areas, replacing labour-intensive manual methods such as rover walks or station setups. This report examines how drones facilitate real-time volumetric analysis in mining stockpiles, with a focus on gold, silver, and critical minerals in Canada and the United States.
Technologies and Drones for Drone-Based Real-time Volumetric Analysis
Drones that are equipped with high-resolution cameras, LiDAR sensors, and 3D imaging tools, capture aerial data to generate precise volumetric measurements. There are several aspects involved in this process. First, to collect data, drones fly over stockpiles, collecting photogrammetric images or LiDAR point clouds. Photogrammetry uses overlapping photos to create 3D models, while LiDAR provides direct elevation data for accurate terrain mapping. [1] For real-time aspects, some systems use onboard processing or cloud-based platforms to analyze data during or immediately after flights. Second, to process and analyze, software such as Correlator3D, Propeller Aero, or Exyn’s SLAM algorithms process data into dense point clouds, digital surfaced models, and volume calculations. Near-real-time processing can deliver reports in less than an hour, enabling quick decisions on inventory and production. [2] Tools integrate GPS/RTK for survey grade accuracy. Third, advanced drones provide live 3D mapping in GPS-denied environments, with automated workflows for volumetrics. For example, changes in stockpile volumes can be tracked over time using time-lapse data, supporting inventory management. [3] The methods discussed are particularly valuable for irregular, high-volume stockpiles in mineral mining, where traditional estimates can lead to significant discrepancies.
Applications in the United States
In the U.S., drones are widely used for stockpile management in gold and silver mining, such as the operations in Nevada. Critical minerals are also increasingly surveyed in order to build domestic stockpiles. In gold mining, Nevada Gold Mines (NGM), which is a joint venture between Barrick Gold and Newmont, daily drone flights measure stockpiles using DJI Phantom RTK drones with Propeller PPK workflows and Aeropoints for accuracy. Real-time data-integration into tracking platforms allows for immediate inventory updates, reconciling gold ore with accounting records. This has corrected major reporting errors and improved efficiency in those operations. [4]
Within the silver and critical minerals industries, drone volumetrics ensure precise tracking of mixed stockpiles. (This is a function of silver often being a byproduct in goldmines.) For critical minerals, U.S. initiatives include drone surveys for REEs and other elements. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) uses drone-based radiometric surveys for high-resolution characterization of mine waste, identifying potential REEs in stockpiles of legacy sites. [5] Drones enable frequent low-cost surveys, supporting the U.S. push for supply-chain security in critical minerals.
Applications in Canada
Canada’s mining sector also leverages drones for volumetric analysis as it emphasizes its strategic reserves. In gold and silver mining, companies such as BHP use drones for weekly stockpile surveys in operations, allowing the company to quickly calculate tonnage via photogrammetry. This supports gold and silver extraction in provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia, where real-time data optimizes blending and financial reporting. [6] Safesight Exploration drones, like the DN4, provide precise measurements for resource management in these metals.
Canada’s critical minerals strategy includes stockpiling under the Defence Production Act, with drones aiding volume tracking for cobalt, bismuth, and tungsten projects. [7] Further, quantum technologies accelerate field analysis, complementing drone data for faster extraction decisions. [8]
Conclusion
Drones have transformed real-time volumetric analysis in mining stockpiles, providing precise, timely insights that are crucial for the gold, silver, and critical mineral operations in Canada and the United States. These tools enhance efficiency, safety, and strategic resilience. As both nations advance stockpiling and domestic production, drone adoption will likely expand, driving innovation in mineral management.
Sources:
[1] safesightxp.com, https://safesightxp.com/2025/03/25/drones-for-mining-exploration-revolutionizing-the-mining/
[2] dronelife.com, https://dronelife.com/2025/09/09/simactive-enables-3d-calculations-from-drone-imagery-at-mining-sites/ and exyn.com, https://www.exyn.com/underground-drone-mapping
[3] bavova.ai, https://bavovna.ai/drones-in-mining/
[4] propelleraero.com, https://www.propelleraero.com/blog/how-nevada-gold-mines-uses-drones-to-measure-stockpiles-on-a-massive-scale/
[5] library.seg.org, https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/seg/tle/article/44/11/889/669258/Drone-based-radiometric-surveys-provide-high
[6] sphengineering.com, https://www.sphengineering.com/news/drones-in-mining
[7] discoveryalert.com, https://discoveryalert.com.au/canada-critical-minerals-policy-2025-stockpiling/
[8] nrc.canada, https://nrc.canada.ca/en/stories/mine-your-battery-quantum-technology-speeds-critical-mineral-extraction
Disclaimer:
This summary is based on publicly available information from company and government sources. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Though it has been taken to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of the reliability of the information.
Forward-looking statements, projections and estimates are subject to risks as outlined in the original company disclosures. Readers should consult official texts for full context. Nothing in the articles constitute forecasting, investment or financial advice. Please seek guidance from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.
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