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Track More. Move Smarter.
Stockpile Measurement & Management Drones
Stockpile measurement drones provide mining and aggregates professionals with a faster, safer, and more consistent way to monitor, calculate, and manage material volumes. Replace labor-intensive manual surveys with automated aerial workflows that deliver reliable data across your entire site—whether you're measuring overburden, tracking inventory turnover, or reporting to stakeholders. Drone-based volumetric surveys reduce data collection time from days to hours, while improving accuracy and frequency, making it easier to reconcile tons moved, prevent costly write-offs, and optimize production cycles.
Reliable Data. Repeatable Results.
Why Use Drones for Stockpile Measurement & Management?
Mining & aggregates sites often require weekly or monthly stockpile surveys, depending on activity. Traditional methods like total stations, GPS walk-arounds, or manual estimates are slow, labor-intensive, and expose crews to hazardous terrain. Drones equipped with photogrammetry or LiDAR sensors streamline volumetric surveys, producing accurate 3D models, cut/fill calculations, and inventory reports, all without interrupting operations or putting workers at risk.
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Improved Safety
Capture data from above without climbing unstable piles or entering active loading zones. Crews stay clear of equipment, loose material, and edge fall hazards. -
Faster Turnaround
Complete surveys in hours instead of days. Frequent, repeatable flights allow teams to track production, reconcile inventory, and stay ahead of monthly reporting. -
High Measurement Accuracy
Aerial photogrammetry and LiDAR deliver precise volumetric data. Avoid fluff factors and reduce discrepancies between booked and actual tonnage. -
Lower Survey Costs
Replace manual site walks or third-party flyovers with internal drone workflows. Fewer labor hours, less downtime, and no need to shut down operations. -
Actionable Outputs
Export point clouds, surface models, and CSV reports. Easily integrate drone data into your ERP system, project tracking tools, or audit documentation.
Volume You Can Verify
Stockpile Measurement & Management Use Cases
End-of-Month Inventory Reconciliation
Collect consistent, accurate stockpile data to support monthly volume tracking and financial audits.
- Fast, Repeatable Audits: Capture material volumes in hours using automated flight workflows.
- CSV-Ready Exports: Output volume calculations for integration with accounting or ERP systems.
Tracking Production & Material Movement
Monitor how much material is being extracted, processed, and staged between regular site surveys.
- Monitor Output Over Time: Compare volumes to evaluate production rates and plant throughput.
- Improve Load Planning: Prevent bottlenecks or shortages with current volume visibility.
Pre- and Post-Blast Volume Analysis
Assess material displacement and blast performance with accurate 3D models of bench faces and blast zones.
- Quantify Break Volume: Measure material removed to validate against blast design models.
- Optimize Blast Patterns: Identify inefficiencies using post-blast terrain data.
Contractor Load Verification
Verify subcontractor claims by comparing haul volumes to drone-captured site data.
- Reduce Billing Discrepancies: Validate the amount of material moved with objective aerial records.
- Support Dispute Resolution: Rely on dated volume data to back up payment approvals.
Regulatory & Environmental Reporting
Use drone data to support compliance with environmental and operational reporting standards.
- Accurate Site Documentation: Create georeferenced surface models for permitting or disturbance reports.
- Meet Regulatory Deadlines: Deliver fast, defensible data to MSHA, DNR, or local agencies.
Remote Site Oversight
Give off-site teams visibility into site conditions and material levels without frequent travel.
- Share Visual Updates: Send 3D models, orthomosaics, or flythroughs to stakeholders remotely.
- Reduce Field Visits: Limit on-site check-ins by providing digital access to current conditions.
Our Top Recommendations
Stockpile Measurement & Management Solutions
We have a wide variety of enterprise drone solutions to help you and your team accomplish your jobs quicker and easier. View the drone packages below or give us a call and get a specialized quote for your needs.
DJI Matrice 400
Engineered for Excellence, Designed for Versatility
Matrice 400 is DJI’s enterprise flagship built for long endurance and complex missions. It delivers up to 59 minutes of forward flight, lifts 6 kg of payload, and adds rotating LiDAR with mmWave radar for power-line-level obstacle sensing. With O4 Enterprise transmission, airborne relay, and advanced automation, it excels in emergency response, power inspections, mapping, and AEC.
- Up to 59 min forward flight time and 53 min hover for continuous operations
- 6 kg max payload; single or dual lower gimbals plus third connector and four E-Port V2 mounts
- Power-line-level obstacle sensing via rotating LiDAR, mmWave radar, and low-light fisheye vision
- O4 Enterprise video link up to 40 km, sub-2 GHz support, and airborne relay for extended range
- IP55 weather rating, −20 to 50 °C operating range, real-time terrain follow, and ship takeoff/landing
WingtraRAY
The survey drone built for faster results and total confidence in the field
WingtraRAY is the next-generation VTOL mapping platform that delivers survey-grade results on the first flight. A modular airframe, certified safety options, and an end-to-end WingtraCLOUD workflow let you quote more work, finish faster, and keep crews safe—whether threading urban corridors or mapping thousand-acre sites.
- Cat 3 OOP (U.S.) / C6 (EU) parachute option unlocks surveys across most areas without waivers
- Obstacle avoidance + adaptive geofence; only a 2×2 m (6.6×6.6 ft) pad for VTOL ops
- Dual hot-swap batteries and radio + LTE telemetry support confident BVLOS workflows
- Adaptive cruise 36–49 mph; map 250 ac in a ~10-min flight and deliver data in < 2 hours
- Survey-grade payloads (up to 61 MP RGB, LiDAR, RedEdge-P) with 3 cm RMS PPK accuracy
IF800 TOMCAT
Portable. Dependable. Deployable.
The IF800 TOMCAT by Inspired Flight features a lightweight, compact, and foldable frame, making it easily transportable and deployable in diverse environments. Its specially designed case provides ample space for batteries and payload, ensuring convenience and protection during transit. Professionals in need of cutting-edge aerial capabilities, such as infrastructure inspections, terrain mapping, or lidar surveys, can rely on the IF800 TOMCAT as a dependable and versatile tool.
- 54 min. Flight Time with 1.5kg Payload
- Dual Hot Swappable Batteries
- 6.6 lbs Max Payload
- FPV Camera
Freefly Astro Max
Compact Industrial Platform
Freefly’s latest commercial drone platform with RTK, 61 megapixel Sony camera, LTE cloud connectivity, mission computer and more. Astro is backed by the team at Freefly with 100,000+ successful commercial drone flights.
- 25 min Flight Time w/Payload
- IP43 Rating
- 100,000+ Commercial Flights
- Made in the USA
DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise
The Age of Intelligent Flight.
Unleash precision and intelligence with the DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise, featuring advanced AI, dual-camera capabilities, and enhanced safety for superior performance in mapping, surveying, and more.
- Advanced AI for Real-Time Detection
- 112x Hybrid Zoom with Dual Cameras
- 49-Minute Flight Time & 15-Second Takeoff
- 5-Directional Oblique Capture Boosts Efficiency by 40%
- Smart 3D Capture for Accurate Modeling
- Rapid 0.5-Second Interval Shooting for High-Speed Surveys
SOTEN
Small Aerial Photography Drone
Discover the ACSL SOTEN: A compact, NDAA-compliant Japanese drone, offering advanced security and versatile imaging with a one-touch swappable camera system. Lightweight, foldable, and featuring an IP43 rating, it's ideal for demanding missions. With a 25-minute flight time and intuitive operation, the SOTEN is perfect for secure, efficient aerial tasks in challenging environments.
- NDAA-Compliant
- 25 Min Max Flight Time
- One-Touch Swappable Payloads
- IP43 Rating
- SO15408 Secuirty Standards
DJI Zenmuse L2
Powerful Range, Elevated Precision
The Zenmuse L2 is a high-precision aerial LiDAR system that integrates frame LiDAR, a self-developed high-accuracy IMU, and a 4/3 CMOS RGB mapping camera. Designed for DJI flight platforms, it delivers precise, efficient, and reliable geospatial data acquisition, offering a turnkey solution for 3D data collection and high-accuracy post-processing with DJI Terra.
- Vertical Accuracy: 4 cm; Horizontal Accuracy: 5 cm without GCPs
- Exceptional Efficiency: Cover up to 2.5 km² in a single flight
- Superior Penetration: Smaller laser spots and denser point clouds for detailed mapping
- Extended Detection Range: Up to 450m at 50% reflectivity
- Turnkey Solution: One-click processing on DJI Terra for streamlined workflows
DJI Zenmuse P1
Efficiency through Flexible Full-frame Photogrammetry
The Zenmuse P1 sets a new benchmark for aerial surveying with its full-frame sensor and interchangeable fixed-focus lenses, delivering unparalleled efficiency and accuracy for photogrammetry missions.
- 45 MP Full-frame Sensor with 4.4μm Pixel Size for high-resolution imaging
- 3-axis Stabilized Gimbal with Smart Oblique Capture for versatile 2D and 3D modeling
- Global Mechanical Shutter and TimeSync 2.0 for centimeter-level accuracy without GCPs
- High Efficiency: Cover up to 3 km² in a single flight with photo capture every 0.7 seconds
- Smart Data Management for streamlined mission data handling and post-processing
GeoCue TrueView 539 LiDAR
Engineering-Grade Accuracy & Precision in a Lightweight, More Accessible Package
The TrueView 539 brings engineering-grade LiDAR to more survey teams by pairing a high-precision 1535 nm scanner with a 26 MP full-frame global-shutter camera in a compact ~1.45 kg payload. With tightly coupled GNSS/INS and LP360 Drone included, TV539 streamlines acquisition, QC, and deliverables without sacrificing accuracy.
- Typical absolute accuracy ~2–5 cm; scanner precision ~5 mm and ~15 mm accuracy
- Up to 6 returns per pulse for reliable penetration through vegetation and structures
- Usable range up to ~300 m on >20% reflectivity; pulse rate up to 500 kHz
- Integrated 26 MP full-frame global-shutter camera for crisp colorization and planimetrics
- CHC PPK GNSS/INS with ~10–20 mm position and ~0.006°/0.019° attitude performance
PIX4Dsurvey
Surveying software bridging photogrammetry and CAD for engineering-ready vector outputs
PIX4Dsurvey bridges the gap between photogrammetry and CAD by merging point clouds, imagery, and LiDAR in a single project. With advanced vectorization tools, extract essential features—like curbs, building footprints, and catenary curves—with just a few clicks, delivering engineering-ready CAD and GIS datasets.
- Capture Data: Acquire images or point clouds via drone or laser scanner and streamline flights with PIX4Dcapture.
- Import Flexibility: Combine .p4d, .p4m, .las, or .laz files and integrate multiple datasets into one project.
- Optimized Vectorization: Generate TIN models and CAD-ready vector files by extracting key project elements.
- 3D Modeling: Use Smart Grid and terrain classification to create accurate TIN surfaces.
- Volume Measurements: Calculate object and site volumes with intuitive measurement tools.
- Accuracy Assurance: Validate with GCPs, checkpoints, and manual tie points, complete with exportable quality reports.
- Smooth Export: Assign layers and properties, then export to any CAD or GIS software for seamless integration.
PIX4Dmapper
Industry-leading photogrammetry software for professional drone mapping
PIX4Dmapper is the industry-leading photogrammetry software for professional drone mapping, transforming aerial and ground images into accurate, georeferenced maps, 3D models, and orthomosaics.
- Image Capture: Import aerial or ground RGB, thermal, or multispectral images from any camera or drone.
- Photogrammetric Processing: Generate orthomosaics, dense point clouds, and DSMs using advanced algorithms.
- rayCloud Quality Control: Assess project accuracy with tie points, GCPs, and detailed quality reports.
- Automatic Classification: Distinguish surfaces and objects with machine-learning point cloud classification.
- 3D Model Export: Export georeferenced maps and models in GeoTIFF, LAS, OBJ, or DXF formats.
- Batch Processing: Automate workflows for multiple projects and reduce manual intervention.
- Cloud & Collaboration: Sync with PIX4Dcloud for online processing, sharing, and remote collaboration.
DJI Terra
Make the World Your Digital Asset
DJI Terra v5.0 combines its proven photogrammetry engine with next-generation Photorealistic 3D Gaussian Splatting, tighter LiDAR and multispectral workflows, and scalable cluster processing. Pair with Matrice 4E/400, Mavic 3 E/T, or Zenmuse L2 to capture, process, and deliver survey-grade outputs on accessible hardware (≥ 32 GB RAM, ≥ 4 GB GPU VRAM).
- Photorealistic 3D Gaussian Splatting plus mesh models, about 500 photos per hour, city-scale 30 000-image jobs completed significantly faster
- 2D mapping that meets 1:500 standards without GCPs when used with RTK DJI drones; 5 000 images processed in under 2 hours on one workstation or about 80 minutes via cluster
- One-click fusion of Zenmuse L2 LiDAR with RGB for centimeter-level point clouds, meshes, and maps; added support for Matrice 4T/4TD waypoint planning
- Multispectral NDVI/NDRE with automatic prescription maps and optimized Agras spray routes, plus radiometric correction for research-grade outputs
- Cluster reconstruction to scale projects, flexible licensing options including offline operation, runs on Windows with modest GPU and RAM requirements
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Stockpile Measurement & Management Drones FAQ
How accurate are drone-based stockpile measurements compared to traditional methods?
When flown correctly and processed using RTK/PPK correction, drone-based stockpile measurements can achieve volumetric accuracy within 1–3% of traditional survey-grade instruments. Accuracy depends on ground control, terrain, and the type of sensor used (photogrammetry vs. LiDAR).
How often should we fly drones for stockpile measurement?
Most sites fly weekly or monthly, depending on how frequently material is moved. High-volume operations often benefit from weekly flights to maintain accurate, up-to-date inventory levels.
What types of deliverables do drone stockpile surveys produce?
Typical outputs include orthomosaics, point clouds, DSMs, volume calculations, and cut/fill maps. These can be exported in formats such as LAS, TIFF, DXF, CSV, and shapefiles, which integrate seamlessly into software like AutoCAD, ArcGIS, or ERP systems.
Do we need to use LiDAR, or can photogrammetry deliver accurate results?
For most aggregate and overburden stockpiles, photogrammetry is sufficiently accurate, especially when supported by RTK/PPK workflows and effective flight planning. LiDAR becomes more valuable in vegetated or complex terrain where ground surface detail is partially obscured.
How long does it take to complete a drone stockpile survey?
Small to mid-sized sites can typically be flown in under an hour. Processing and reporting often take just a few hours, depending on data size and software workflows.
What kind of training is required to start using drones for stockpile measurement?
Operators must hold a Part 107 certification in the U.S., and should be trained on flight planning, data collection, and processing software. Many platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, but accurate volumetrics still require a solid grasp of best practices.
Can drone data be used for compliance reporting or third-party audits?
Yes. Drone-derived volumetric data is commonly used for MSHA reporting, environmental documentation, and financial audits. Accurate timestamps, metadata, and repeatability make drone workflows defensible for regulatory and stakeholder use.
Can drone surveys replace our existing GPS rover or total station workflows entirely?
No. While drones dramatically speed up volumetric assessments, you may still need traditional instruments for sub-centimeter layout work or underground surveying. For above-ground stockpile tracking, drones are often the faster and safer choice.
What are the limitations or challenges of using drones for stockpile measurement?
High wind, reflective surfaces, standing water, and site congestion can impact data quality. Additionally, poor flight planning or a lack of GCPs can introduce errors. Training and QA/QC workflows are key to consistent results.
How do we know if our site is a good fit for drone-based volumetrics?
If your operation involves regular movement of bulk materials and requires frequent inventory tracking, it likely is. Sites with good GPS visibility and open airspace tend to be ideal. If you’re unsure, consult a drone mapping provider to assess your layout and compliance needs.
Get started
Ready to build your UAS program?
Give us a call and get a full, personalized system built for your specific needs. Our expert team can assess your situation, and recommend the best drone system for your organization.