AI Case Study
Freeport-McMoRan improves rock face assessment for better planning of steep blasting mining using drones
Mining company Freeport-McMoRan uses imagery from drones to better assess the rock faces at its sites in order to determine optimal slopes for mine blasting.
Industry
Basic Materials
Mining And Metals
Project Overview
"Freeport-McMoRan uses drones to more closely monitor and evaluate the rock face at its mines in real time as it blasts away rock to build mine slopes. The data sent through drones is instantaneous and includes angles that humans cannot see."
Reported Results
"Using drones enables an objective, data-driven view of the slope angles. This means a more precise reading that enables Freeport-McMoRan to build steeper slopes, ultimately displacing less rock and expending fewer resources to access the ore body."
Technology
Function
Strategy
Planning
Background
"The United States Federal Aviation Administration granted Freeport-McMoRan an exemption in May 2015 to use drones to take pictures and real-time videos for monitoring blasting operations, environmental conditions and mine security."
Benefits
Data
Drone imagery data