Drones and the Future of Stone Mining and Quarrying
Overview:
Drones are becoming an increasingly common tool in the stone mining and quarrying industry, offering cost-saving efficiencies, reducing human health hazards, and providing more accurate data for operational decisions. By 2026, the global mining drone market is expected to reach $2.9 billion, growing at a CAGR of 18.5% from 2021. Over 90% of mining organizations are reportedly looking to implement drone technology as part of their operations.
Drone Use and Cost-Efficacy in Stone Mining & Quarrying Industry
The cost-efficacy in the implementation of drones is capturing the attention of the stone mining and quarrying industry. Compared to traditional methods of surveying, drones prove to be less labor-intensive and more economical, with a drone survey claiming to cost 50% less than conventional methods. Moreover, a drone can be programmed and ready to fly in just a few minutes leading to significant time savings.
Drones and Human Safety
Safety in the mining industry can be significantly improved with drone technology. Unlike human workers, drones can safely explore potentially hazardous areas, reducing the risk of injuries and accidents. According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, there were 29 fatalities in the U.S. mining industry in 2020. Introducing drones to the operation could significantly decrease this figure by not exposing workers to the same level of risk.
More Accurate and Efficient Data Collection
Drones contribute to enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of data collection in stone mining and quarrying. For instance, research shows that drones can capture 400 hectares of high-resolution aerial imagery in under an hour, something that would take humans several days or even weeks to achieve. Furthermore, drones can produce accurate 3D modeling of quarries, allowing companies to assess and plan blasting operations more effectively leading to an increased efficiency of up to 75%.
Key Takeaways
- The mining drone market is projected to reach $2.9 billion by 2026.
- Drones can reduce surveying costs by up to 50%.
- Drones may significantly decrease mining fatalities, which totaled 29 in 2020.
- The use of drones can increase operational efficiency by up to 75%.
3Laws Robotics: Enhancing Safety and Reliability of Drones in Mining
3Laws Robotics specializes in developing innovative software to enhance safety and reliability in robotics systems. Their solution, 3Laws Supervisor, addresses the significant challenge of certification faced by many robotics companies. Using Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a technology developed at Caltech, 3Laws provides software that has the potential to ease the certification path and enhance operational efficiency of drones in mining and quarrying due to its robust safety features and predictive safety capabilities.
Among the successful use cases of 3Laws’ technologies include warehouse automation where it led to a 40% efficiency gain, human-robot interaction, and navigation in dynamic environments.
3Laws' software is also compatible with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2, making it adaptable to a wide range of platforms including drones, mobile robots, cars and manipulators. Given this, 3Laws can be viewed as a next-generation safety solution going beyond traditional e-stop methods and unlocking the full potential of robotics in various industries, including stone mining and quarrying.