Access & Haul Road Condition Reporting

Keep your fleet moving safely and efficiently Haul roads are the arteries of a mine; their condition directly affects truck cycle times, maintenance costs, and safety. Routine inspection of these roads by vehicle or foot is labour‑intensive and exposes staff to traffic hazards. Our drones allow rapid, high‑resolution assessment of road surfaces, drainage, berms, and signage. When flown along haul routes, the Mavic 3EnterpriseMultispectral and Matrice 4Thermal capture overlapping images that are stitched into detailed road maps. These maps reveal potholes, ruts, standing water and edge erosion that need attention.

Thermal imaging enhances inspections in two ways. First, it can highlight moisture‑laden areas, indicating poor drainage or potential sinkholes. Second, in early morning or late evening flights, temperature differences can reveal variations in pavement compaction or help locate buried utilities. The M4T’s high‑zoom camera captures close‑up images of culverts, bridge decking, and signage from a safe distance, while the optional spotlight and speaker aid in night operations or emergency situations.

Reporting and value

• Road condition maps: High‑resolution Ortho mosaics showing the state of haul roads, intersections, and access tracks.

• Defect identification: Pinpoint potholes, ruts, cracks, berm breaches, and drainage failures before they cause accidents or equipment damage.

• Asset inspections: Document the condition of bridges, culverts, signage, and safety berms without closing the road.

• Maintenance planning: Provide actionable data to maintenance teams to prioritise repairs and schedule grading or watering.

Using drones for road inspections dramatically reduces the time required to survey long haul routes. With geo‑tagged imagery and regular flight schedules, mines can maintain safer roads, reduce vehicle wear, and improve productivity.