Minimizing Risk and Maximizing Efficiency at Glencore Kidd Operations with the Elios 3
Explore how the Elios 3 drone revolutionized inspection processes in one of the most extreme environments, 10,000 feet below sea level.
Key Benefits at a Glance
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Cost Savings By using the Elios 3, Glencore Kidd Operations avoids the need to take expensive equipment out of service for inspections. The drone can scan large areas quickly without requiring manual labor or costly drilling, significantly reducing operational costs. |
Speed & Efficiency The Elios 3 can cover more ground in less time compared to traditional methods. It eliminates the need for multiple site visits and allows real-time data streaming, enabling faster decision-making and quicker issue resolution. |
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Safety First With the Elios 3, dangerous or hard-to-reach areas can be inspected from a safe distance. This reduces the risk of accidents and ensures that workers are not exposed to hazardous conditions during inspections. |
Operational Flexibility "To get to some of the places we send the drone, you’d have to pull a $2 million loader off its job, strap a scanner on it, and send it somewhere remote. With the Elios 3, this becomes a 15-minute task," says Iain McKillip. |
Mining at the World's Deepest Base-Metal Mine
Glencore Kidd Operations, located in Timmins, Ontario, is home to the Kidd Mine—the world’s deepest base-metal mine, reaching 10,000 feet below sea level. The mine produces around 40,000 tons of copper and 70,000 tons of zinc annually, making it a key player in the global mining industry.
Known for its commitment to safety and innovation, Glencore has integrated advanced technologies like the Elios 3 into its operations. By doing so, they’re improving efficiency, reducing risks, and setting new standards in underground mining practices.
This collaboration between Unmanned Aerial Services Inc., Glencore Kidd Operations, and Flyability allowed the Elios 3 to dive deep into the mine, collecting critical data that would have been otherwise impossible to gather.
Overcoming Surveying Challenges Underground
Underground mining requires frequent and accurate surveys to ensure safety and operational efficiency. Engineers must inspect both horizontal and vertical spaces to identify issues like ore pass hang-ups, evaluate stope stability, and plan blasting activities.
Traditional methods often involve walking through vast areas, using ground-based tools, or deploying expensive equipment. In dangerous zones, operators have to bring in heavy machinery, which is both time-consuming and costly.
For vertical spaces, workers used to guess where problems might be and then drill to access the area, a process that could take days. This method was inefficient, risky, and often led to incomplete data. With the Elios 3, these challenges are being transformed.
Introducing Drones for Underground Surveys
The Elios 3 is specifically designed for use in GPS-denied, dark, and confined spaces. Its compact design and collision resistance allow it to navigate tight areas that other drones cannot reach. This makes it ideal for inspecting vertical bores, cross-cuts, and other hard-to-access locations.
"You can cover so much more ground when flying with a drone than you can on foot," says Megan Gidden, a Ground Control Engineer. "The Elios 3 gives us a whole new level of insight and efficiency."
In vertical spaces, the Elios 3 flies directly into boreholes, scanning entire surfaces and identifying potential issues without the need for guesswork. This results in more accurate data and safer operations.
The Elios 3 not only improves data collection but also enhances collaboration. Live video streams and LiDAR scans can be shared in real time, allowing engineers and stakeholders to make informed decisions quickly. This leads to better planning, improved safety, and fewer delays.
"Once we collect all the data, we bring it up to the surface and start analyzing it. That’s when the real work begins," says Gidden.
Compared to the previous Elios 2 model, the Elios 3 offers enhanced capabilities with its LiDAR integration, providing high-accuracy point clouds alongside visual data. This combination allows for more detailed and actionable insights.
The Impact of Drone-Based Surveys
The Elios 3 has proven to be an essential tool for inspecting challenging and inaccessible areas, such as vertical bores and ore passes. What once required extensive time, expensive equipment, and human risk can now be done safely and efficiently in a single flight.
Engineers can now analyze data from the surface, gaining a clear understanding of underground conditions without ever stepping into dangerous areas. This shift from reactive to proactive maintenance has significantly improved operational efficiency and safety.
"I've never seen a drone struggle with dust or low light," says Megan Gidden. "The Elios 3 handles even the harshest environments with ease."
The Future of Mining with the Elios 3
Glencore Kidd Operations is using the Elios 3 to transition from reactive to predictive maintenance, enhancing safety and minimizing downtime. By integrating drones into daily workflows, the team is creating a library of data that can be used for long-term analysis and improvement.
"E3 can do almost any job we can think of," says Iain McKillip, Manager of Mine Technician Services. "It goes places no other drone can." His vision is to deploy the Elios 3 continuously, building a comprehensive dataset that can be referenced over time.
"Our goal is to gather as much data as possible without knowing exactly what we're looking for," McKillip explains. "Then, if we need to look back, we can—comparing past scans to see how things have changed over time."
Discover more about how the Elios 3 is transforming mining at /mining.
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