Skip to content
Back to Case Studies Forensic Lineage Transformation
CSMining solutions provider ·

Forensic Lineage Transformation

5cm-resolution terrain models and precision stockpile volumetrics delivered across a five-year mining engagement. A global mining solutions provider operating across the Asia-Pacific region needed engineering-grade 3D terrain models from drone-captured imagery. Existing surveying methods were slow, hazardous, and inconsistent for large-scale operational monitoring across active nickel mining sites. 5 years of continuous delivery. 5cm GSD terrain accuracy. Engineering-ready 3D outputs integrated directly into mine-planning environments.

"High-resolution drone mapping improved mining volumetric accuracy, enabled safer terrain monitoring and created scalable 3D operational intelligence for mine planning. "

Industry
Energy & Utilities
5cm GSD
High-resolution terrain accuracy
5 Years
Continuous operational delivery
3D Models
DSM, DTM & volumetric analytics

Challenge

Mining operators needed precise Digital Surface Models (DSM), Digital Terrain Models (DTM), and stockpile volumetrics from high-density drone imagery. Traditional surveying methods struggled with terrain complexity, operational risk, and the speed required for continuous monitoring. The client also required all extracted vector data delivered in DGN-compatible engineering formats for immediate integration into existing mine-planning systems.

Approach

SBL Infotech built a repeatable drone-to-digital mining workflow using MMS — combining aerial triangulation, orthomosaic generation, photogrammetry, and high-precision terrain extraction into a single operational pipeline. Dedicated geospatial teams used Pix4D, Summit Evolution, DTMaster, and MicroStation to process raw UAV imagery, remove terrain noise, generate clean DTMs, and produce mathematically validated stockpile volumetrics with 5cm GSD fidelity across multiple mine environments.

Outcome

The client replaced fragmented, ground-heavy surveying workflows with a scalable 3D mining intelligence platform. Site teams gained faster access to accurate volumetric reporting, safer monitoring workflows, and engineering-ready terrain models for planning and operational oversight. What was once a manual surveying exercise became a continuous digital monitoring system ready to scale across global mining operations.
IX Case studies

More from the field


US mining technology provider

Offshore Mine Mapping & Analysis

Dedicated offshore production facility delivering high-precision 3D mine models and stockpile analytics at global scale. A US-based mining solutions company needed a scalable way to process continuous streams of drone-captured mine data from multiple global sites. Existing workflows relied heavily on fragmented surveying and manual calculations, slowing inventory reporting and limiting operational visibility. The client required a centralized production model capable of generating accurate volumetric reports, terrain models, and engineering-ready outputs across large mining operations. Dedicated offshore production facility established. High-precision volumetric reporting delivered at scale. Engineering-grade 3D terrain models processed for global mining operations.

"Centralized offshore mine mapping improved volumetric accuracy, accelerated terrain analytics and enabled scalable global mining intelligence and operational reporting. "
UK renewable energy initiative

Smart Solar Potential Analysis

90% reduction in field-survey costs through remote rooftop analysis across London suburbs. A UK clean-energy initiative needed to identify residential rooftops suitable for solar installation at city scale. Traditional field surveys were too slow, expensive, and operationally impractical for the speed required to support national renewable-energy targets. The challenge was to accurately assess roof orientation, sunlight exposure, and shading conditions across thousands of homes — without sending teams on-site. 90% reduction in surveying overhead. High-speed rooftop qualification across London districts. Accurate south-facing and shade-free roof identification for rapid solar deployment.

"Remote rooftop analysis reduced solar survey costs, accelerated renewable-energy planning and enabled scalable residential solar feasibility assessment across urban districts. "
UK geological data provider

Paleogeological Vector Models

Multi-era geological maps transformed into a projection-accurate digital database for mineral exploration and geoscience research. A UK-based geological data provider needed to modernise vast collections of historical paleogeological maps and analogue records for industrial and research applications. The challenge involved converting fragmented, projection-distorted geological archives into a unified GIS-ready environment capable of supporting mineral exploration, tectonic analysis, and environmental research at global scale. Multi-era geological vectorization completed across historical landmass datasets. Integrated geological, groundwater, and chemical contour mapping delivered in a unified GIS environment. Projection-accurate outputs maintained across global datasets.

"Historical geological map vectorization created a projection-accurate GIS database supporting mineral exploration, environmental analysis and global geoscience research. "