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INNOVATION
HOW DRONES
are changing operations FLYING ACROSS THE sky with minimal fuss, the increasingly prevalent use of drones is doing more than just providing a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening on the ground. As the use of drone technology becomes an ever-popular way of gaining a more-informed, real-time view in different situation, the resources industry is now also finding out the benefits of this burgeoning practice. Whether it’s for mine site surveying or improving safety, drones are becoming an essential part of operations. Another upside to using an unmanned
aerial vehicle is that it leaves site personnel more time to undertake indepth evaluation and interpretation of what these piece of equipment find. More importantly, the drones can do jobs that have the potential to put workers in safety-compromising situations. When faced with work at a more remote, or hard-to-reach part of site, a drone can employed to do the heavy lifting. Instead of putting significant resources into the job through safety preparation and travel time, a drone can efficiently and safely carry out what’s required. Not only can they safely give a real-
www.amma.org.au | SUMMER 2017 | RESOURCEPEOPLE
time sneak peak of every corner of a site, they can also track and survey site conditions and monitor dust and fumes. They can also be used to improve road safety on sites, by monitoring traffic, road conditions and hazards. While improving safety is their number one advantage, more information about sites than ever before can be gathered through the use of a drone. Stockpiles can quickly and accurately be managed and measured, and design compliance can also be reviewed. From an overall perspective, they boost safety and productivity.