Tracking Production Volumes of Open-Pit Mines with Photogrammetry

Volume analysis with remote sensing in open cast mines opens up new possibilities as regards the condition survey of mines. This method, not fully replacing conventional geodetic surveys, enables economical and quickly reproducible surveys. By employing this method frequent monitoring of mine production becomes possible. 3D models created by aerial remote sensing may be archived and using them the time-proportional volume change of the mine is analyzable during operation. Using drones (multicopters or fixed wing drones) aerial photos can be made, from which a georeferenced orthophoto and a 3D surface model can be produced based on photogrammetric procedure. The survey takes little time. Being size-dependent, it takes 10 to 40 minutes per 0.5 to 10km2. In this discourse, volume computing is presented with the help of a specific, operating mine. During the experiment, besides determining the current volume of the mine, annual production was also determined. As result of the method, besides the quantitative determination of the production, the exact area of extraction has also been determined. The developed method is an effective supplement to conventional surveying.