A Storage Bin Inspection With The Elios 3 At A Mine 

How can the use of drones enhance the safety and efficiency of storage bin inspections? MIS Aero demonstrated the advantages of utilizing the Elios 3 drone to a leading mining client in Oman, highlighting its benefits effectively.

Benefits In A Nutshell

Safe mining inspections encompass not only the caves and quarries but also the associated materials and equipment. Effective maintenance of equipment such as storage bins and crushers is crucial for enhancing both the safety and efficiency of mining operations.

However, managing and inspecting certain assets, such as storage bins, can be particularly challenging. Factors such as height and dust accumulation can limit access and visibility. A mining company sought to enhance the safety of inspecting their storage bins to address these difficulties.

What is a standard storage bin inspection? 

A mining company in Oman sought to perform internal visual inspections of their storage bins to accurately identify defects or damage to the polyethylene (PE) lining within the tanks.

Previously, inspections of this nature involved inspectors using rope access to enter the tanks and collect detailed data. This approach posed significant risks due to working at height, as well as challenges related to dust and confined space conditions. The mine operator sought a safer and more efficient alternative, aiming to reduce the inspection duration, which had previously taken 10 to 15 days to complete.

The storage bins, standing at a height of 40 meters, present signficant challenges for inspections without the use of additional access equipment

Drone storage bin inspections with the Elios 3

The task of finding a safer and more efficient inspection solution was entrusted to the specialized service provider, MIS Aero. With extensive experience in providing both internal and external inspection equipment, MIS Aero has recently begun integrating AI into its services. As the sole owner of the Elios 3 drone in Oman, having acquired it from the local Flyability partner SIGMA Enterprises, MIS Aero has established a high standard for safe and efficient inspections.

With a focus on mitigating risks, MIS Aero was the ideal partner for the mine owner in this project. They planned to utilize the Elios 3 drone for inspecting the interior of the storage bins, eliminating the need for rope access and enabling faster data collection.

The Elios 3 flying back down to the inspectors 

Planning flights for a drone inside storage bins

The Elios 3 is specifically designed for confined space inspections. Its unique combination of simultaneous LiDAR and visual data collection makes it the perfect mining drone, able to safely navigate challenging environments and the insides of assets such as dusty storage bins.

The MIS Aero team developed custom flight plans to capture visual data around each storage bin. They needed to inspect seven bins, each 40 meters high. By utilizing multiple entry points and range extenders, they were confident in their ability to complete the data collection without requiring personnel to enter the confined spaces. Additionally, MIS Aero coordinated with the local mining team to identify potential obstacles within the storage bins, ensuring the safety of the drone during flight.

The Elios 3 pilot and an inspector look for points of interest in the flight

After the flights, all data was processed using Inspector 4 to generate a comprehensive report for the client. The client's team then analyzed the report to ensure it met the required level of detail—and it did!

In the end, the client was especially impressed by the geolocation of points of interest within the 3D point cloud. This feature facilitated the planning of maintenance work by clearly identifying locations and specifics of required tasks. It also streamlined communication between engineers and maintenance teams, as everyone could visualize and plan the work more effectively.

Setting a new standard for storage bin inspections 

The decision by the mine operator to embrace innovative technology, combined with the expertise of MIS Aero’s team, led to a safer and significantly faster project. The elimination of unnecessary rope access, along with the expedited inspection process, reduced client downtime and allowed for more efficient site operations.

The storage bin LiDAR scan includes points of interest (POI) created by inspectors during flight, and the client can compare the location of a POI in the laser scan with the photo taken by the Elios 3

The success of this project has opened a new avenue for MIS Aero, showcasing the value of drones for inspections to a new client and paving the way for future collaborations. This project marked the first of its kind in Oman and represents an exciting step towards introducing more cutting-edge technology to the region.