Case Study: Drone-Powered Surveys at a Major Australian Coal Mine

Challenge

At one of Australia’s largest coal mining operations, survey teams faced constant pressure to deliver accurate stockpile measurements and terrain maps. Traditional ground surveys required workers to walk unstable terrain with heavy equipment, while occasional manned aerial surveys added high costs and delays. The result: slow turnaround, safety risks and interruptions to production.

Solution

The mine adopted drone-based surveying to automate and accelerate the process. Weekly flights covered areas of around 1.2 km × 1 km in a single mission, powered by one battery. High-resolution imaging captured precise data, which was processed into usable reports within about one hour.

Results

• One flight, one battery: complete coverage of stockpiles and excavation zones.

• 1 hour from data capture to finished survey report.

• Up to 90% lower survey costs compared to traditional methods.

• Improved accuracy, with volumetric measurements within a few centimetres.

• Increased safety, as workers avoided hazardous terrain and machinery.

• No downtime — surveys carried out without halting production.

Business impact

The operator gained faster, safer, and more reliable data. What once took days or weeks could now be achieved in hours, at a fraction of the cost. By integrating drones into routine operations, the mine shifted from reactive planning to proactive decision-making — improving productivity, efficiency, and worker safety all at once.

What it matters for Omani mining businesses

Future Founders can help regional operators replicate these benefits:

• Faster, more accurate stockpile and terrain surveys

• Lower costs and reduced risk exposure

• Better production planning, compliance, and resource optimisation

• The ability to scale operations with consistent, reliable data

Drones aren’t just a tool for mining companies — they’re a competitive edge in global resource markets.