UAV Surveying & Mapping

UAV Mining Applications in Africa


In January, mining company Kenmare Resources took delivery of their first mdMapper1000DG. Kenmare is an established mining company, which operates the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine, located on the northeast African coast of Mozambique.

The Moma Mine contains deposits of heavy minerals which include the titanium minerals ilmenite and rutile, as well as the zirconium silicate mineral, zircon.

Mining is principally undertaken using dredges which float in artificial mining ponds. These dredges pump the mineral sands that form the wall of the pond into a floating Wet Concentrator Plant. A heavy mineral concentrate is produced, which is then pumped to the nearby Mineral Separation Plant where it is separated into final products for export via Kenmare’s company-owned port facility.

Kenmare Resources Mining Operation

The mine is referred to as a “moving mine.” As they mine the dunes to extract Titanium and Zircon the sand is pumped back to the mining site and the area that was mined is closed and rehabilitated.

Hanno Truter, Microdrones Sales Manager for Africa, explained how the Microdrones integrated system could achieve the desired results for Kenmare. “The mdMapper1000DG will be used to survey ahead of the dredges to get a DSM of the area so that it can be restored to its original state,” said Truter. “The system can also be used to determine the volumes to be mined as well as to survey the stockpiles of the processed minerals after it has been extracted from the sand and before it is shipped overseas.”

Kenmare UAV pilots prepare the mdMapper1000DG

The Mining industry has been one of the early adopters of UAV technology having quickly realized the many benefits that drones can provide. Less expensive than the helicopters traditionally used by the industry to gain an aerial perspective, drones are providing mining companies with mapping abilities that provide better results and drastically improved flexibility for a fraction of the cost.

Many mining customers use Microdrones systems to survey mine progress multiple times per day. The mdCockpit app makes it easy to plan, monitor, and repeat missions and flight paths.

For more information on how you or your business can benefit from the quick deployment, extreme efficiency, and cost savings from using drones in mining, CLICK HERE to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives.