The mining industry faces significant challenges in managing its operations, particularly in obtaining reliable, up-to-date data on asset conditions and infrastructure. Analyzing ore volumes, tailings, and other materials is essential for optimizing site management. However, traditional data collection methods—often reliant on manual surveys or outdated technologies—are costly, time-consuming, and prone to human error.
ARA Robotique solves this issue with its ODAS® solution, which utilizes autonomous drones to deliver rapid, precise, real-time data collection. With this technology, mining companies can conduct high-frequency volumetric analyses of ore stockpiles and aggregates with unprecedented accuracy. This increased efficiency reduces operational costs and enhances real-time decision-making—an invaluable advantage in an industry where every data point can influence strategic choices.
The ODAS® (On-Demand Aerial Survey) project aims to transform how mines collect and process geospatial data. By integrating autonomous drones into operations, ARA Robotique offers an alternative to conventional inspection methods, which often face human and logistical constraints. Internalizing this process through drone technology reduces reliance on specialized labor and minimizes delays associated with outsourcing services.
Drones play a crucial role in asset management by monitoring stockpile volumes and facilitating the supervision of tailings ponds and other aggregates. Continuous data capture allows mining companies to adjust production in real time and gain a comprehensive view of site evolution.
A key challenge in the mining sector is the shortage of skilled drone pilots and the complexity of data analysis. While drones are widely available, deploying them effectively in mining environments requires specialized expertise in both flight operations and data interpretation.
ARA Robotique overcomes these obstacles with ODAS®, an automated, end-to-end data management solution. Its integrated analysis system delivers detailed reports within hours, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual processing. Real-time data visualization provides instant insights into site conditions, allowing for proactive decision-making.
By automating these processes, ARA Robotique minimizes human error risks and enhances the reliability of processed information. This, in turn, empowers mining companies to make better-informed decisions based on precise, up-to-date data.
ODAS® leverages cutting-edge technology that combines drone capabilities with artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver highly accurate results. Drones collect topographic data at various altitudes based on project requirements. Once the data is gathered, ARA Robotique’s processing software generates a highly detailed 3D model of the site, accurate to within centimeters.
Within just a few hours, clients receive a comprehensive site report, including a digital twin that tracks terrain evolution over time. This 3D model is not only valuable for volumetric assessments but also serves as a strategic planning tool for future mining operations.
ODAS® has already been deployed in major mining projects, particularly in Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, where several mines have integrated the solution into their workflows. The technology has also been adopted internationally, solidifying ARA Robotique’s reputation as a provider of scalable, reliable mining solutions.
Deploying ODAS® in mining operations involves overcoming several technical challenges. The first is integrating drones into complex mining environments, where rugged terrain and infrastructure can interfere with flight paths. Additionally, configuring data analysis systems to meet the specific needs of each site requires specialized expertise.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of ODAS® are significant. By enabling remote, autonomous data collection, the solution enhances operational efficiency while reducing the risks associated with manual data management. Automation minimizes errors and associated costs while delivering faster, more precise results.
ARA Robotique is at the forefront of drone innovation in the mining industry. With solutions like ODAS®, the company empowers mines to maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the quality of collected data. This collaboration between ARA Robotique and the mining sector represents the future of the industry, with an increasing adoption of autonomous technologies that are set to revolutionize data collection, processing, and analysis.
As ARA Robotique continues to develop its capabilities, it solidifies its position as a key player in mining technology, offering practical, cost-effective, and forward-thinking solutions to address the complex challenges of modern mining operations.
