Flyability, a Switzerland-based company, is redefining safety and efficiency standards in mining and engineering sectors with their innovative drone technology. Their flagship drone, the Elios 3, is specifically designed to navigate confined spaces and hazardous environments, including underground mines and industrial facilities. Flyability’s mission of reducing human exposure to dangerous jobs has found practical application across various industries, from nuclear power plants to underground mines.
The Elios 3 is equipped with a centimeter-accurate LiDAR payload, enabling it to perform precise surveying missions alongside standard visual inspections. It can capture 4K videos, 12MP photos, and LiDAR scans simultaneously. When equipped with additional payloads, such as ultrasonic thickness measurement (UTM) tools, the drone becomes even more versatile. Its primary purpose is to provide safe access to challenging and confined spaces, allowing operators to scout areas before human entry or to complete remote detailed surveys.
In mining applications, the Elios 3 has a wide array of uses, including stockpile monitoring, volume calculations in stopes, old workings surveys, and change detection over time. Flyability’s official use case list for the drone in underground mines includes over 20 applications, showcasing its adaptability and effectiveness in enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Advancing Safety Standards Through Drone Technology
The Elios 3 is a game-changer in collecting data and gathering critical information in the most challenging environments. By enabling access to areas that are risky for human entry, it significantly enhances safety for inspectors and surveyors.
For instance, after a blast in a stope, the Elios 3 can inspect the area to assess the blast’s success and identify potential hazards, such as unstable or precariously positioned boulders. This early warning system allows miners to develop informed strategies for managing risks and planning subsequent operations.
The drone’s capability extends to solving operational bottlenecks. In a notable case at a U.S. mine, an ore pass became blocked, severely hindering production. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to diagnose the problem, an Elios 3 was deployed. Within a 10-minute flight, the drone identified the cause of the blockage, enabling the team to plan a targeted blast that resolved the issue and restored operations efficiently.
Case Studies on Elios Projects in Africa
The Elios 3 has been deployed in various mines across Africa, showcasing its potential in real-world applications. In South Africa, Delta Scan, a service provider specializing in drone technology, has utilized the Elios 3 for multiple projects. Following the devastating gas explosion on Johannesburg’s Bree Street in 2023, Delta Scan employed the Elios 3 to map underground structures and assess damage in areas inaccessible to humans. The drone’s ability to navigate confined spaces allowed for a detailed inspection that contributed to understanding and addressing the aftermath of the explosion.
Delta Scan mobilised to site the day after the explosion and was used to lead the underground inspections while the environment was still being assessed for safety. With the deployment of their specialised confined space drone, ELIOS 3, they were able to begin assessing the underground infrastructure for integrity. Delta Scan was able to enter and visually assess an environment that was not safe for humans to enter. This was due to gas content in the environment as well as the unknown stability of the structure.
Delta Scan has also used the Elios 3 for ventilation shaft surveys and silo inspections at platinum mines, demonstrating its versatility and precision.
At the Palabora Mining Company, the Elios 3 has played a vital role in post-blast surveys and support pillar analysis. The drone helps assess whether shotcrete treatment is required for pillars and maintains records of treated and untreated pillars. These insights enhance the mine’s ability to maintain structural integrity and operational safety. The success of this work has been recognized in the Global Mining Review magazine, highlighting the Elios 3 as a transformative tool in mining operations.
Training and Adoption in Africa
Flyability’s rapid growth and adoption in Africa are driven by the region’s openness to new solutions that enhance safety and efficiency. Pilots undergo rigorous training to master the Elios 3’s customized features, enabling them to operate the drone in challenging conditions such as dust, darkness, and beyond the visual line of sight. Flyability collaborates with their African reseller, GammaTec NDT Supplies SOC Ltd, to organize training sessions and live demonstrations, ensuring operators are well-prepared to maximize the drone’s capabilities.
The case studies and partnerships underline the growing acceptance of drone technology in African mining and engineering sectors. By combining advanced data collection capabilities with unparalleled safety benefits, the Elios 3 is helping mines achieve higher safety standards without compromising data quality. As drones become synonymous with safety and innovation underground, Flyability is paving the way for a future where dangerous jobs are a thing of the past.
For more information, or product inquiries, contact Inga Khchoyan: inga.khchoyan@flyability.com and follow her on LinkedIn
Supplied by Flyability