How Stockpile Volume Calculations with Drones Save Time and Money in Mining

Author: Ayanda T Sibanda Date: 17 October 2025 Reading time: ~2 minutes

Mining and aggregate companies understand that precise stockpile measurement is crucial for inventory management and profitability. Aerial Galaxy is transforming this vital process with drones, providing speed, cost savings, and exceptional accuracy to sites across Zimbabwe.

Drone Technology Delivers Unmatched Accuracy

Traditional ground surveying of stockpiles demands substantial labor and often lacks precision, especially with irregularly shaped piles. Drone surveys transform this process by gathering thousands of aerial data points in just minutes. By employing high-resolution photogrammetry and advanced 3D mapping software, Aerial Galaxy offers volume calculations with an error margin as low as 1–3%, matching or even exceeding the accuracy of the most sophisticated ground-based surveys.

Efficiency Gains: From Days to Minutes

• Conducting manual surveys can take several hours or even days, involves entry into dangerous areas, and interrupt site operations.

• Drones cover vast sites quickly and safely, eliminating the need for personnel to walk on unstable stockpiles.

• Advanced mapping means entire workflows—from flight to final volume report—can be completed in a fraction of the time, sometimes up to 90% quicker than traditional methods.

Traditional vs Drone

Real-World Value: Safety and Financial Impact

Regular measurements conducted by drones ensure that the data is consistently up-to-date and prepared for audits, compliance checks, and operational planning. A global iron ore operator discovered they could recover six figures worth of inventory when drones identified missing quantities that manual measurements had missed, highlighting the importance of every cubic meter.

Routine use:

• Enhances mine safety by preventing workers from being on hazardous piles

• Reduces write-offs and unexpected issues during quarterly reconciliations

• Provides live KPIs for production, sales, and logistics decisions

Modern Mines Rely on Drones

With the precision of photogrammetry, today’s drone surveys not only document stockpiles but also deliver powerful analytics. Regular, rich datasets allow mine managers to adjust production or sales in near real time—eliminating shortfalls, surpluses, and missed opportunities.

By integrating Aerial Galaxy’s drone solutions, your mining or aggregate operation benefits from:

• Unmatched inventory accuracy and documentation

• Reduced risk and lower operational costs

• More informed, efficient management at every turn

Discover how drone volumetrics can improve your financial outcomes by reaching out to Aerial Galaxy. Click here for a quote—experience the future of mining measurement today.