Vol. 8, Issue 10, Part L (2024)

This research presents an in-depth case study of volumetric assessment conducted on a Red Ochre mining lease located in Jalodiya Kelukheda, Tehsil Choti Sadri, District Pratapgarh, Rajasthan, India. The study's primary objective was to accurately estimate the volume of excavated material using an innovative integration of advanced AI-driven drone technology and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) techniques, combined with a unique approach to calculating submerged volumes. To tackle the challenge of measuring the underwater portions of the excavation, the study introduced a bamboo stick rover equipped with a DGPS rover to capture precise underwater depth measurements. This method represents a novel, low-cost solution for calculating submerged volumes in mining operations, ensuring both high accuracy and practicality in challenging conditions.

The study utilized drone technology to capture high-resolution aerial imagery and generate detailed Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), and Digital Surface Models (DSMs), enabling precise volumetric calculations for the dry portions of the mining area. In addition, traditional techniques for underwater volume assessment, enhanced by DGPS-equipped bamboo sticks, allowed for the calculation of submerged excavation areas that would otherwise remain unmeasured by aerial methods alone. The integration of these two methods provided a comprehensive volumetric assessment covering both dry land and water-filled pits.

By bridging the gap between modern AI-based drone technologies and traditional volume measurement techniques, this study establishes a new framework for mining operations where both surface and underwater excavations are prevalent. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of combining cutting-edge aerial survey methods with practical in-field measurements, offering significant improvements in accuracy and efficiency over traditional volume estimation methods. This comprehensive approach not only improves the precision of mining volume estimations but also holds substantial potential for future applications, especially in areas where water-filled pits present a challenge for volumetric assessments. Furthermore, this case study sets a precedent for utilizing low-cost, locally sourced tools in conjunction with advanced technology, paving the way for more sustainable and accessible methodologies in mining volume estimation.