The rising demand for raw materials, such as rare earth elements and lithium, makes the exploration and extraction of mineral deposits critical. Identification of Earth’s hidden treasures is becoming increasingly difficult, owing to the continued depletion of easily accessible deposits and the social stigma surrounding mining activities. Efficient methods that minimise invasive and costly drilling are key for the discovery of potentially profitable mineral resources. However, a gap in observation scales remains. Traditional ground-based surveys (such as rock and soil sampling), although detailed, can only cover some 15–30 kilometres per day, and large-scale mapping via helicopter, plane and satellite fails to provide sufficient resolution to efficiently map small-scale (<1 km2) geological features.
Drones present the perfect trade-off between coverage and scale of observation, and are essential when ground access is impossible, dangerous or logistically costly. Drones can carry lightweight sensors that, for example, capture changes in the Earth’s magnetic field as well as a continuous spectrum of reflected sunlight in the visible and near-infrared regions (hyperspectral imaging). Subtle variations in the measured properties can be used to determine the abundance and composition of key minerals at Earth’s surface. For example, specific spectral absorption features and magnetic anomalies could indicate the presence of iron alteration related to mineralisation. The hyperspectral and magnetic data collected by the drones can be used alongside high-resolution true-colour cameras or laser-scanning sensors to place mineral deposits into a 3D geographical context. Therefore, economic mineral deposits can be identified down to depths of several hundred meters.
Drones are becoming important tools for mineral exploration by contributing to the safe, efficient and sustainable provision of the high-tech metals that are required by modern society. For example, drone-based hyperspectral imaging has been used to rapidly map rare-earth-element-rich minerals in Namibia. In addition, in Greenland, drone-based magnetic surveys were deployed to identify sub-surface ore potential at a fraction of the cost of traditional surveys. Drones have the potential to provide non-invasive and eco-friendly platforms from which the environmental impact of exploration and mining activities (such as soil erosion, acid mine drainage and vegetation stress) can be assessed.
Author: Robert Jackisch
Teesside drone company DJM Aerial Solutions has recently invested in the industry-leading Flyability Elios 2, With huge success under their belts utilising the Elios 1 an investment made with help from both Digital City and Tees Valley Business Compass, The Northeast drone inspection company made the decision to upgrade their kit to the latest model.
The Elios range of UAS was developed around the requirement for confined space inspection and survey utilising none GPS technology and reliant only on the skill of the operator to carry out a pre-planned flight path to generate useable data for post review of dangerous confined spaces or hard to reach internal environments.
DJM Aerial Solutions invested in the Elios 1 in 2018 adding confined space inspection to their broad range of drone services. The financial assistance from both Digital City and Tees Valley Business Compass was key in securing the Elios without taking on any debts. The confined space inspection service has gained momentum over the last 2 years, really ramping up prior to lockdown with clients such as Heineken and Tarmac to name a few.
Elios 2 Point Cloud Company Director Dan Maine Added, “Our growing success utilising the Elios 1 for confined space inspection and survey of internal spaces was phenomenal, and it was a no brainer for us to upgrade our fleet to the next spec. Dan continued, “The Elios 2 has the ability to fly a preplanned mission allowing for photogrammetry outputs of that particular internal space, which we can then process into Point cloud or 3D models of the internal environment”
Internal Survey (s)
Internal survey and dilapidations are carried out generally using traditional manned access methods. Occasionally the properties can be come subject to vandalism or accidental damage from fires, water, rot, damp etc and are deemed structurally unsafe to enter on foot.
DJM Aerial Solutions areone of the few companies within the UK to own and operate the Elios an ideal solution to carry out these kind of surveys on dilapidated property or assets. However the Elios can also cope within an industrial environment too.
Confined spaces such as storage tanks and pressure vessels are to be inspected at regular intervals to comply with insurances and classification bodies. The process of carrying out vessel and tank inspections can be long and drawn out due to storage of toxic or harmful substances.
These storage tanks and vessels need to be fully cleaned of all or any potential harmful gasses prior to manned entry and even then pockets of gas may still be present. The Elios is obviously the ideal solution for confined space inspection as it can be carried out remotely without the need for any manned entry or confined space entry requirements.
Internal Point Cloud Survey
Teesside drone inspection company DJM Aerial Solutions has had numerous enquiries to provide internal point cloud solutions of confined spaces such as storage tanks, culverts, drainage tunnels and other internal environments and up until now there hasn't been a solution available.
The Elios 2 provides the solution to accurately fly a pre-planned flight mission utilising light-sensing technology to measure the distance from elevations and bulkheads allowing for sufficient overlapping photogrammetry methods.
The make up of the Elios 2 is such that the surrounding cage housing the UAS doesn’t cover up the UAS camera allowing full field of view unlike the Elios 1 which was limited due to the cage movement and its 4 axis gyroscopic technology. The Elios 2 cage is fixed however still allows the UAS to be fully protected from its surrounding environment.
Drone Survey vs Traditional Survey The Main Differences from Cost efficiency through to reliability.
The Pros and Cons
What is Survey? As we are aware survey is a term used fairly loosely these days and in many different contexts but traditionally was a term that meant the gathering of sufficient data to allow for instant or prolonged decision making based on the results of that particular data capture and further analysis. For this particular post, we will concentrate on this instance.
We have included a snapshot of the term that was recently pulled from Google and their thoughts on the terminology meaning.
Drone Survey What Does It Involve?
Drone survey is to carry out the above method or methods utilising drone technology in place of manned survey techniques which were once commonplace. However, as drone survey becomes normality in the workplace manned survey techniques will eventually begin to reduce. Drone survey is what is known as disruptive innovation.
Disruptive innovation What Is It’s Meaning? Disruptive innovation or disruptive technology is a particular service or product that disrupts a product or service that was done differently in years previous, resulting in the end goal achieved with more economic results in terms of finances, More time efficient or with an improvement in safety. There are further cases of disruptive innovation but essentially the end result is achieved with a much greater all-around user experience, disrupting the traditional methods to the point of them no longer being relevant. What are Classed as Traditional Methods?
Rope Access Inspection Rope access inspection could be classed as traditional methods of survey, when compared to drone survey, as can several others, however, the difference being they all require a manned element. These might include scaffold access to the particular area or asset where the survey will be conducted or MEWP Hire to access the area from ground level etc. Rope access inspection is a service carried out by IRATA qualified rope access technicians IRATA being the qualification body that governs the individual’s certification based on their experience (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) Rope access inspection is usually the preferred method of high-level survey in certain industries due to the fact that it’s less invasive than other methods despite the up close manned element. However, there is an element of risk to rope access inspection methods with potential for dropped objects from rope access personnel or equipment failure resulting in loss of life. Rope access inspection also has the potential flaw of the human element. We all make mistakes unfortunately and making mistakes, under those circumstances, can result in loss of life. Scaffolding
Inspection from Scaffolding is an idealistic solution to many industries due to the fact that scaffolding provides a work platform for any person or project decision-maker to access via ladders and perform their own unhindered survey of a particular asset or piece of equipment. This gives the opportunity to access the area as many times as necessary whilst providing a secure platform to work from.
Scaffolding, however, requires many restrictive factors such as:
Lower level area restrictions whilst scaffolding erection is taking place
Prolonged shut down during scaffold erection and disassembly
Inefficient time scales during scaffold erection and disassembly
Requirement for a large team of personnel during scaffold erection/disassembly
Minimum spatial requirements surrounding asset
Scaffold erection also has several safety concerns in comparison to other survey methods:
High risk of dropped objects to lower levels
Risk of load bearing equipment failure
Risk of tools and equipment falls from height
As can be noted there are both pros and cons to scaffolding and area to be inspected but the decision on whether scaffold erection is the preferred method is situational and based on several factors.
MEWP Hire / Access Platform Hire
Inspection via MEWP or access platform can be beneficial if the conditions are appropriate as per other methods of survey such as rope access inspection methods or use of scaffolding, they all have their pro’s and cons. MEWP hire can be expensive and restrictive for one and also requires the usual manned element but also have many benefits.
MEWP’s or Mobile Elevating Work Platforms can offer unrivaled access to difficult areas in comparison to the other methods previously mentioned. There are several varieties which can overcome most scenarios and terrain issues and are known as many different names much the same as our own primary business tools.
MEWP: Mobile Elevated Work Platform
EWP: Elevated Work Platform
AWP: Aerial Work Platform
MAWP: Mobile Aerial Work Platform
MAP: Mobile Access Platform
AP: Access Platform
Scissor Lift
Cherry Picker
MEWP hire for visual inspection can be a great way to access arduous areas at height but as aforementioned, there are still flaws and restrictions. Inspection from a MEWP is limited by reach although there are several variations around MEWP hire unfortunately, none have an infinite reach capacity. Also the longer reach capacity the higher the hire cost generally speaking.
Second issue with MEWP hire for survey requirements are the usual safety concerns as per any of the other manned inspection methods. MEWPs must be operated by trained operators which adds to the cost but also have a habit of tipping over if operated incorrectly or abused. There are also instances where the operator is thrown from the basket whilst traveling.
There are other issues with MEWPs such as working weight restrictions and terrain access, some are 4×4 but they still need to operate on stable ground. They also carry the same issues as the above two entries regarding catastrophic failure, there is always a risk of equipment failure and no matter how many secondary safety measures and how much mitigation is put in place there is always a risk of failure. Dropped objects and falls from height are also possible alongside human error. All factors that must be undertaken when considering MEWP hire for visual survey purposes.
Drone Survey
Drone Survey is unique in terms of the only survey method that doesn’t require direct involvement from a manned perspective trumping all of the other visual inspection services such as rope access inspection, MEWP hire or scaffold in terms of health and safety.
Drone survey is the only method of visual survey where if a catastrophic failure were to occur resulting in complete equipment failure, the likelihood of fatality is none existent and injury to personnel slim to none if the correct risks have been mitigated in accordance with company operations manual and flight limitations.
Drone survey does not have limitations in terms of requirement for specific surroundings or need for idealistic logistics in terms of architectural style or shape providing highly detailed data.
Drone survey can provide highly detailed and live feedback to the ground station and connected devices or record directly to onboard SD card allowing for remote further analysis.
Drone survey can cover more ground in a time effective manner in comparison to rope access inspection methods which is, in turn, more time and cost-effective than any of the other methods listed.
Drone survey and the outputs that can be achieved scores highly over any of the other options used for instance a thermography scan can be produced of an entire building detecting for energy losses and heat signatures from an aerial perspective. Providing the data to analyse the building envelope efficiency.
Drone survey can provide point cloud data allowing the overlay of a HD mesh on top of the point cloud, providing a highly detailed 3D image providing the client the necessary means to navigate and orbit the model remotely and inspect in fine detail to analyse any specific fault or remedial requirement.
Drone survey can be optimised to produce highly detailed orthomosaic images and maps through an automated sequence called Photogrammetry again this orthomosaic or orthoimage can be rectified to sit perfectly on top of its relative OS grid providing a highly accurate map or orthorectified image.
There are other options that drone survey can be utilised for but the above items are the most common.
Not one of the other options can produce or have a hand in producing the same level of data. The time taken to survey a 500sq/m building can be reduced from a week to a day. Or to produce land survey outputs an area of 60 Hectares can be reduced from 2 weeks to 2 days.
Drone Safety
Health and safety in the workplace is by far the most important factor in any industry when conducting not only survey but anything requiring manned intervention. This can be as basic as cleaning the workplace or as in-depth and intense as replacing a major component part on site.
The HSE or Health and Safety Executive the UK’s goverment body for health and safety in the work place, provide reports and conduct random and spot checks in every industry regarding their compliance towards the Health and Saftey At Work Act. This is done to ensure these companies are not placing any unnecessary danger on their employees which could result in injury, fatality or illness.
When an accident, fatality or illness occurs in the workplace it is documented and investigated and this data is the driving force behind the HSE annual documentation around accidents, injuries and fatalities in the workplace as per the below Infographic.
RIDDOR: Fatalities In The Workplace 2018
Falls From Height
Struck By Moving Vehicle
Struck By Moving Object
Trapped By Something Collapsing
Contact With Moving Machinery
Other Accident
Falls From Height As can be clearly acknowledged although hard to swallow the biggest cause of fatality in the workplace is due to falls from height at least 25% of all work-related fatalities are down to this issue. In this day and age and with all of the education available to us we should not be seeing these figures. Drone survey for visual inspection should be considered in attempt to reduce the current statistics. Injuries due to falls from height are less than expected, however… if we are honest with ourselves. If an injury has taken place due to a fall from height then the victim of this injury is unlikely to admit that the fall from height is the contributing factor to those injuries or injury especially if time off work is required. The reason for this is down to the Risk Assessment and the requirement for use of Specialised personal protective equipment such as harness and fall arrest. Unfortunately, there are still personnel that prefer not to use the equipment as is intended. The recorded incidents around injury due to falls from height will no doubt relate to those that were using their PPE as per procedure and have been injured as a result of the fall from height but were working within the limits of their own risk assessment. Which does not breach any company safety policies and procedures allowing the victim to recover from the injury at home, without worrying about disciplinary proceedings or unpaid leave of absence. Irrespective of the above assumptions drone survey should definitely be the first consideration towards visual inspections in the first instance opposed to rope access inspection, scaffold or MEWP hire. Again there are many other methods of visual survey but these are the main and most popular methods. The Future of Traditional Methods Traditional methods of survey and inspection will always have their place in industry. Hands on inspection can occasionally be the only method that works and until remote technology is adapted and evolves to using tools and can be assigned to repair and maintain those hard to access areas at height then the requirement for traditional access methods such as rope access inspection or MEWP hire will continue. We at DJM Aerial Solutions have great relationships with several companies that specialise in the above access methods and we do on occasion call on them for assistance. But in the meantime please feel free to call us regarding your drone survey enquiries.