Testing the Elios drone at a High Altitude Mine Located in the Andes Mountains
The Elios 2 was put to the test at a high altitude mine located nearly three miles above sea level in the Andes Mountains, and it exceeded all expectations set by the mining team. High Altitude Performance Operating at 4,600 meters (2.86 miles), the Elios 2 performed flawlessly, capturing all the visual data required for the mining team’s needs. 3D Modeling Capabilities High-quality 3D models and sparse point clouds helped mining teams visualize conditions inside the mine, improve safety, detect extra ore, and enhance location awareness within the underground environment. Access and Lighting The Elios 2 successfully accessed hard-to-reach areas like chimneys, stopes, and ore passes, while its lighting provided sufficient illumination for detailed visual inspections. Volcan CompañÃa Minera SAA is a Peruvian mining company that has been operating since 1943. It manages multiple mines producing silver, zinc, copper, and lead, as well as hydroelectric power plants. Many of these mines are located deep in the Andes Mountains, where extreme altitudes pose unique operational challenges. Equipment must be tested for performance in low-oxygen environments before being used. The Andaychagua mine, one of Volcan’s largest, sits at nearly 3 miles above sea level—4,600 meters exactly. This high altitude limits the types of robotics that can be used, making it crucial to find reliable solutions for such conditions. The mine has two access points, with a depth of 1,200 meters. It operates continuously, with blasting occurring daily at 6 p.m., followed by overnight ore extraction. During the day, workers inspect and secure the site for the next round of operations. Every day, around 2,500 tonnes of minerals are extracted from this mine—equivalent to over 5.5 million pounds of material. Administrators at the Andaychagua mine are always seeking innovative tools to reduce costs and improve safety. When they heard about Flyability’s Elios 2 drone, designed for harsh internal environments, they decided to test it at their high-altitude mine. The main focus of the test included: The test at Andaychagua was a success. The Elios 2 operated smoothly despite the challenges of high altitude, meeting all the expectations of the mining team. A total of 40 flights were conducted, covering chimneys, ore passes, ventilation tunnels, and stopes. The drone captured high-quality visual data and generated both detailed and sparse 3D models. Using software like Pix4D, four 3D models were created, including stopes and tunnels. These models could potentially help identify additional ore and support future planning. They required several hours of processing time. Sparse models were also created using Flyability’s Inspector 3.0, which allowed quick identification of key points of interest. These took only 20–30 minutes to process, making them ideal for rapid assessments. Flying at such high altitudes required careful preparation. Here are some best practices followed during the mission: With the successful test, Volcan is now considering adopting the Elios 2 for regular inspections at Andaychagua and other high-altitude mines across Peru. The results prove that the Elios 2 is a reliable tool even in the most challenging environments. 1. Lightweight and Portable: Retractable X Banner stands are lightweight and easy to transport. They can be easily carried from one location to another, making them perfect for trade shows, conferences, and other events. Retractable X Banner,Aluminium X Banner Display Stand,Roller Banner X Stands,Adjustable Outdoor X Banner Stand Display SUZHOU JH DISPLAY&EXHIBITION EQUIPMENT CO.,LTD , https://www.jh-displaystand.comTesting the Elios Drone at a High Altitude Mine in the Andes Mountains
Key Benefits at a Glance
Mining at High Altitudes
Flying a Drone Inside a High Altitude Mine
Surveying a High Altitude Mine with the Elios
High Altitude Drone Considerations
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