Stockpile Measurement Made Easy with Drone Technology
- Anvita Shrivastava
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Managing and measuring stockpiles has typically been a labour-intensive, time-consuming, and often hazardous task. However, with advancements in drone technology, stockpile measurement is now faster, safer, and more accurate than ever before.
Why Accurate Stockpile Measurement Matters
Stockpile volumes are critical data points in industries such as:
Quarrying
Waste Management
Accurate measurements help in inventory management, financial reporting, production planning, and regulatory compliance. Errors in manual measurement can lead to significant losses and operational inefficiencies.
Enter Drone Technology: A Game-Changer
Drones, also known as UAVs, equipped with high-resolution cameras and GPS, are transforming how companies measure and manage stockpiles. Here’s how:
1. High Accuracy and Consistency
Drones capture detailed aerial images and create 3D models using photogrammetry software. This allows for highly accurate volume calculations—often within a 1-2% margin of error—much better than traditional methods.
2. Faster Data Collection
What once took hours or even days with total stations or manual tools can now be completed in minutes. A drone can scan multiple stockpiles in a single flight, dramatically reducing survey time.
3. Improved Safety
Eliminating the need for workers to climb unstable piles or operate in potentially dangerous environments reduces the risk of accidents. Drone surveys can be conducted from a safe distance without interrupting site operations.
4. Cost-Effective
Drones reduce labour costs and the need for expensive ground-based equipment. Over time, this leads to significant savings, especially for operations that require regular stockpile measurements.
5. Detailed Reporting and Analytics
Drone survey data can be integrated with inventory management and GIS platforms. The result? Visual-rich reports with digital elevation models (DEMs), contour lines, and volume calculations that can be shared easily with teams and stakeholders.
Industries Benefiting from Drone-Based Stockpile Measurement
Mining: Track ore stockpiles and overburden volumes efficiently.
Construction: Monitor material usage and site progress.
Agriculture: Measure grain or fertilizer stockpiles with ease.
Landfills and Recycling Centres: Track incoming and outgoing volumes accurately.
Getting Started: What You Need
To begin using drones for stockpile measurement, you’ll need:
A reliable drone with RTK/PPK GPS capability
Photogrammetry software (e.g., Pix4D, DroneDeploy, Agisoft Metashape)
Trained drone operators or a drone services provider
Integration with existing asset management or reporting systems
Drone technology is not just a trend—it’s a practical solution that’s here to stay. For companies looking to improve accuracy, reduce costs, and enhance safety, adopting drone-based stockpile measurement is a smart move.
For more information or any questions regarding stockpile measurement using drone technology, please don't hesitate to contact us at
Email: info@geowgs84.com
USA (HQ): (720) 702–4849
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