Boosting Efficiency at Glencore Kidd Operations with Elios 3

Learn how Elios 3 transformed the way Glencore Kidd Operations navigates one of the most extreme environments—10,000 feet below sea level. Discover how this drone is reshaping mining practices and safety standards.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Deep Dive into Mining Innovation

Nestled in Timmins, Ontario, Glencore Kidd Operations boasts the world’s deepest base-metal mine, reaching depths of 10,000 feet. Producing approximately 40,000 tons of copper and 70,000 tons of zinc annually, the mine features the longest surface-to-bottom ramp globally. Known for its commitment to innovation and safety, Glencore Kidd Operations is pioneering new ways to enhance productivity and protect its workforce.

Collaborating with Unmanned Aerial Services Inc. and Flyability, Glencore Kidd Operations successfully deployed Elios 3 to explore the mine's deepest recesses. This collaboration has opened new possibilities for data collection in some of the most challenging environments on Earth.

Challenges in Underground Surveying

Data plays a pivotal role in maintaining safety and operational efficiency in mining. Engineers at Glencore Kidd Operations conduct frequent surveys across both horizontal and vertical spaces within the mine. These surveys help identify ore pass hang-ups, assess stope conditions, measure blast outcomes, and analyze cross-cuts—all essential tasks for smooth operations.

Traditional methods involve labor-intensive walk-throughs, ground-based tools, or other aerial systems. However, these approaches are fraught with difficulties due to the lack of GPS signals, pervasive dust, and limited visibility. While accessible areas can be surveyed on foot, these efforts yield limited data. For unreachable zones, engineers resort to removing expensive loaders from their duties to install scanners manually. These methods often result in incomplete datasets.

In vertical sections, miners typically guess the location of potential issues before drilling and inserting sensors—a process that can take days and consume significant resources. Interpreting data requires skilled personnel, making it difficult for teams to collaborate effectively.

Drone Technology Revolutionizes Mining

Glencore Kidd Operations embraced Elios 3 as a game-changer for underground surveys. Designed specifically for GPS-deprived and dimly lit environments, Elios 3 excels in tight, inaccessible locations. Operators can pilot the drone safely from a distance, capturing high-quality data swiftly. Real-time streaming facilitates collaboration among team members during scans, enhancing decision-making processes.

“You can cover far more territory flying with a drone than walking,” notes Ground Control Engineer Megan Gidden. Elios 3 penetrates vertical bores effortlessly, offering comprehensive scans that eliminate guesswork. Its robust design allows access to spaces barely larger than itself, delivering precise information unattainable through conventional means.

James Comeau, Long Range Planning Lead, envisions Elios 3 as “a true replacement for human eyes underground.”

By integrating LiDAR technology, Elios 3 delivers superior accuracy alongside visual imagery, elevating indoor inspections to unprecedented levels. Post-flight processing occurs via Flyability Inspector software, merging point clouds with video feeds. Megan Gidden highlights the advantage of simultaneous visualization: “Being able to juxtapose scans with videos makes everything clearer—it helps everyone grasp the situation better.”

According to Comeau, this integrated approach fosters collaborative insights among various departments, empowering teams to tackle complex challenges collectively.

Transformative Impact of Drone Surveys

In just one flight, Elios 3 achieves what might otherwise take weeks of manual effort and substantial costs. It accesses areas previously unreachable without disrupting ongoing activities or endangering workers. Ground engineers gain actionable insights without venturing underground, fostering smarter decision-making processes.

“Elios handles tough conditions exceptionally well—I’ve never seen it falter against dust or poor lighting,” states Megan Gidden.

Looking Ahead with Elios 3

Glencore Kidd Operations aims to leverage Elios 3 to transition from reactive maintenance to proactive analytics, bolstering safety measures and reducing downtime. Equipping diverse staff with drones will integrate data capture into routine workflows, creating a repository of historical records for future reference. This database supports change-over-time analyses, offering invaluable context for strategic planning.

“Elios 3 can handle nearly any task we assign,” remarks Iain McKillip, Manager of Mine Technician Services. “It accesses spaces no other drone can reach.”

McKillip envisions a future where Elios 3 serves as a proactive data-gathering tool: “Our aim is to gather as much data as possible, regardless of whether we initially seek answers. Deploying [Elios 3] regularly creates a library of information. If needed later, we can review past scans and compare them to current conditions.”

For more insights into Elios in mining, visit: /mining

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