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Case Study Stockpile test draft

Accuracy Within 1% of Test Piles
Reported on independently validated test stockpiles
3 sites surveyed, 9 datasets processed within 24hrs
Each site surveyed three times
DJI Matrice 4E + gNext Labs processing
Survey capture and stockpile processing

The challenge

The audit needed reliable figures without adding to the risk on site

The recycling centre’s existing stockpile audits relied on staff taking manual measurements and estimating material density. This took time and brought people close to stockpiles and moving heavy plant machinery.

The company wanted to assess whether drone surveys could measure loose and baled metal more accurately. The proof of concept needed to compare drone-derived figures with independently checked quantities, including test material with known volumes and densities.

The question was whether drone data could provide a repeatable volume assessment that stood up to independent validation.
The proof of concept covered three sites and produced nine survey datasets.

Case at a glance

Testing a new way to audit stockpiles

Sector: Recycling

Material: Loose and baled metal

Platform: DJI Matrice 4E

Processing: gNext Labs

Purpose: Assess volume data against independent measurements

The approach

Assess the site. Capture repeatable data. Check it independently.

Iprosurv completed risk assessments and established safe take-off and landing areas before collecting data. The team used a DJI Matrice 4E to survey stockpiles at three sites, then processed the data in gNext Labs to calculate volumes and produce stockpile reports.

01

Plan for the site

Assess site risks and establish suitable take-off and landing areas before surveying.

02

Survey each site

Capture three surveys at each of the three sites, creating nine datasets for comparison.

03

Process and validate

Calculate stockpile volumes in gNext Labs, then compare the results with independent measurements and weighing.

The result

A clearer way to assess stockpile volumes

The proof of concept produced nine datasets from three sites. After the surveys, stockpiles and bales were independently measured and weighed to check the drone-derived data.

For the test stockpiles and bales with known volumes and densities, the reported drone-derived figures were within 1% of the independent validation. The case study compared this with previous accuracy margins of 15–20% using the earlier audit method.

What the data supported

More useful information for the people assessing stock and value

✓
Repeat surveys across three sites
✓
Volume calculations for loose and baled material
✓
Independent checks against known test quantities
✓
Evidence to assess the feasibility of future stockpile audits

Why it matters

Stockpile decisions need figures that can be checked

When volume estimates inform processing and valuation, teams need a clear method for collecting and checking the data. A drone survey can help build a consistent record of stockpiles while reducing reliance on manual measurements around moving plant.

The consultation also considered drone docks and remote operations. Those ideas remained separate from this proof of concept, which used staff-deployed surveys to test the data and workflow.

Start with the operation

Need clearer stockpile volume data?

Tell us about your site, materials and current audit process. We’ll help you assess whether drone surveying could support your operation.

Talk to Iprosurv

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