RTB is the biggest copper mining and smelting complex in Bor, Serbia, and one of the largest such complexes in Europe. With a change of its ownership, updating the mine terrain data became a priority. The renowned Serbian hardware and software distributor Vekom Geo used the VTOL WingtraOne drone to complete a quick, yet thorough, survey of the complex.
Harsh winds and steep terrain that complicated the project
The RTB mines are situated in the upper Timok Eruptive Area, which features extremely steep and unforgiving terrain and high winds that make ground-based surveying methods cost- and time-prohibitive. These conditions also limit professional mapping UAV options, due to the high risks of harming the environment and personnel, not to mention damaging the drone and its payload during take-off and landing.
Not only did WingtraOne map the four pits within one of Europe’s largest mines, but it also provided all of the data within 10 days. In terms of delivering final product WingtraOne is five times faster than classic surveying methods, according to Vekom Geo Technical Associate Nemanja Mišević.
Facing these conditions, Vekom Geo still managed to provide unprecedented survey results with the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) WingtraOne drone. Not only did WingtraOne map the four pits within one of Europe’s largest mines, but it also provided all of the data within 10 days. In terms of delivering final product WingtraOne is 5 times faster than classic surveying methods, according to Vekom Geo Technical Associate Nemanja Mišević.
A VTOL drone — the way to survey gargantuan mines
Having supplied leading hardware and software systems for geospatial and geo-information projects for more than 25 years, Vekom Geo was quick to identify the right tool for the job. They could see that using a drone in this vast mining complex was the best way to get precise mapping data. However, the harsh gravel terrain of the Serbian mine was impossible for belly-landing drones like fixed-wings. Such a landing posed a real threat to the drone and its payload. Multicopter drones were also ruled out, since they cover so little area per flight and require a lot of extra set-up and flight time for the data collection.
Vekom therefore proposed the VTOL mapping drone WingtraOne drone to RTB as a time- and money-saving tool, producing highly accurate results for the mining company’s daily surveying and mapping tasks, while ensuring the safety of the tool itself.
With the VTOL WingtraOne drone, Vekom Geo was to map all four RTB mine pits and deliver precise data and orthophotos that would enable RTB to generate digital terrain models, calculate monthly ore and waste volumes, track progress of mining operations, and plan future exploitation.
About Mining and Smelting Combine Bor (RTB)
In addition to mining zinc and lead, RTB holds the distinction of being Serbia’s only producer of copper, silver, and gold. Located in east Serbia and operational for over 100 years, the RTB complex consists of four mine pits covering 15 km2 (5.8 mi2): Bor-Krivelj, Cerovo, Open Pit Majdanpek North, and Open Pit Majdanpek South.
Since 2011, the complex has produced 3.4353 million tons of copper, more than 5 tons of gold, and close to 1000 tons of silver, making it a vital contributor to Serbia’s GDP.
Despite their importance, to this day the individual pits are extremely difficult to map. With depths of over 600 m (1970 ft) at some locations, certain areas of the mines are so inaccessible that data about the terrain hasn’t existed for years. This was about to change with the WingtraOne drone.
Four pits in four days
The survey of the RTB mines began on July 3rd, 2018. Due to the distance separating the four pits (around 200 km (124 mi) between the Cerovo and Majdanpek pits), Vekom Geo decided the most efficient approach would be to cover one mine per day.
Flight preparation—which included setting up the WingtraOne’s Sony RX1RII 42 MP payload for ultra-high resolution orthophotos—took just 10 minutes in the field. Flying in strong winds of 5 m/s (11.2 mph) and higher, each WingtraOne flight covered an entire pit in 30 to 45 minutes, further proving the efficiency of a VTOL drone.
In the field, the terrain, wind, and weather created conditions that were far from ideal. WingtraOne’s stability ensured not only that the camera would deliver the top-quality images it was built to take, but it also kept this expensive payload and the drone safe during take-off and landing.
Nemanja Mišević
Vekom Geo Technical Associate
“The Sony RX1RII camera, with its sharp images and high resolution, produces highly-accurate results given the right conditions,” commented Mišević. “Still, in the field, the terrain, wind, and weather created conditions that were far from ideal. WingtraOne’s stability ensured not only that the camera would deliver the top-quality images it was built to take, but it also kept this expensive payload and the drone safe during takeoff and landing.”
In comparison to classical methods, GPS and total stations, we were probably 30 times faster in terms of field work and capturing RAW data, and approximately five times faster in delivering the final product.
Nemanja Mišević
Vekom Geo Technical Associate
VTOL drone delivers results faster that other surveying methods
Once the WingtraOne’s job was done, the surveying team spent the remaining six days before the deadline to process images and get final results.
“In comparison to classical methods, GPS and total stations, we were probably 30 times faster in terms of field work and capturing RAW data and approximately five times faster in delivering the final product,” said Mišević. “Also we need to consider that data captured with WingtraOne is in general more complete and detailed than data collected using classical methods.” According to Mišević, Vekom Geo also completed the job 10-15 times faster than if they relied on a multirotor drone.
“The user-friendly workflow of Wingtra’s solution simplified our field operations,” said Mišević, “Also, the drone’s excellent PPK module significantly reduced our time in the field, since it allowed us to place less control markers on the ground than we usually need to in order to achieve accuracy of under 10 cm (4 in).”
