Drone LiDAR survey of a 2.2 km² mine with SatLab Apus
The owner of a mine of about 2.2 km² needed a clear picture of its topography to plan its management. SatLab surveyed it with Apus drone LiDAR and processed the data in Sat-LiDAR.
At a glance
Results in figures
- Site area
- About 2.2 km²
- Source: SatLab case study
- Average height difference
- 40 m
- Source: SatLab case study
- Required point cloud accuracy
- Better than 5 cm
- Source: SatLab case study (client requirement)
The challenge
The site covers about 2.2 km² with an average height difference of 40 m. The owner asked for point cloud accuracy better than 5 cm and for multi-period earthwork volumes, a DEM and contour lines. SatLab notes that total station and RTK surveys are slow and expose surveyors to hazards such as rockfall.
What was done
- The site was captured with UAV LiDAR, and Sat-LiDAR processed the data automatically into a high-precision colour point cloud.
- Ground points were extracted by filtering and the terrain was classified, giving a DEM, a DSM and contour lines.
- Mine volumes between survey dates were calculated on a TIN grid. Accuracy checks, strip adjustment, noise filtering, classification and tiling were done in the same software.
Results
- SatLab says the method captures terrain height, slope and vegetation cover to centimetre accuracy, faster than ground surveys and with less risk to people.
- The article gives no measured results beyond the requirements above.
Equipment
SatLab Apus drone LiDAR and Sat-LiDAR software. The article names the Apus in its title but does not list the exact model. We supply and support the Apus in India, with training and service from Pune.
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About this case study
This project was carried out and published by SatLab Geosolutions, whose products we represent in India. Ecoleap Solutions wrote this summary; figures are as reported by the manufacturer.
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