Miners are likely to continue using autonomous drone technology as a complement to new Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to improve mine operation efficiency and worker safety, says research firm Fitch Solutions Macro Research.
It notes that the low industrial metal price environment will further incentivise miners to adopt technology enhancements to improve margins.
“As the depressed metal price environment weighs on financials and capital expenditure capabilities for large-scale investments, we expect miners will look to technology to lower costs or increase productivity at their operations,” the firm says.
Drones with autonomous capabilities and extended flight time will be preferred as both offer further efficiency gains to other available options, it adds.
It notes that, as technology improves, more mining companies are likely to invest in owning their own autonomous drones, as opposed to making use of the services of a third-party provider, as this will allow the mines the freedom to conduct surveys when they please.
Further, by investing in drones with extended flight times, mines will be able to cover larger areas more quickly.
Fitch Solutions Macro Research adds that regulation is, however, expected to remain a hurdle for miners, depending on which country they plan to deploy drones in.
“A country's regulation of drone use varies and could slow the rate of autonomous drone advancement.
“While regulations on drone use can vary between countries, most require operators to register their drone with the relevant regulatory body and receive regulatory authorisation or pass a licensing exam.
“Among the myriad of regulations, rules regarding line of sight, in particular, will be pertinent for autonomous drone use and advancement at mining operations,” the firm points out.