Application of UAVs in the mining industry and towards an integrated UAV-AI-MR technology for mine rehabilitation surveillance

ABSTRACT This paper discusses integrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Mixed Reality (MR) as a hybrid system for monitoring mine site rehabilitation. UAV systems are reviewed and the application of MR and AI to mining is discussed. The most common UAVs are low-cost multi-rotor systems however, their capabilities may be limited for long-term autonomous operation. The application scope is broad but identifies many trial UAV applications and sensors that could be integrated with MR and AI to produce an autonomous system. A simplified model for autonomous UAV, AI, and MR integrated systems is suggested along with some core modules. Via collaborative, modular development, the integration of UAV data, AI, and MR may be possible. Such a system will provide a powerful tool for mine site rehabilitation and compliance sign-off via a visual tool that allows all stakeholders to comprehend processes and data and agree when final rehabilitation is achieved.