The launch of mining technology integration partner Dwyka Mining Services’ training and development platform – Dwyka LABS, scheduled for mid-2025, is set to advance local expertise in the development of drone technology across Africa, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This initiative builds on lessons learned from the company’s operations in the DRC, where Dwyka CEO Jamie van Schoor says drone technology has “revolutionised” mining practices.

“Our strategy focuses on elevating human potential through local training and development. By collaborating with local partners and ensuring access to critical inventory, we’ve established a sustainable model for drone adoption.”

Drone technology, which allows for the discreet collection of data over large areas, is also regarded as a critical tool for addressing human rights and environmental concerns in mining.

“Drones provide a level playing field by making it easier to identify and manage transgressions, contributing to better working conditions and more sustainable mining practices,” Van Schoor points out.

However, to overcome regulatory and logistical challenges in the DRC, Dwyka has partnered with service providers there to facilitate seamless drone operations in the country.

In conversation with Mining Weekly, Van Schoor emphasises the value of such partnerships: “Engaging local partners not only helps navigate regulatory challenges but also supports the localisation of skills and expertise.”

Challenges – such as complex permitting processes, language barriers in navigating French regulatory documents and the logistical hurdles of importing drones and lithium polymer batteries – have been mitigated by this collaborative approach, he enthuses.

In offering products to a DRC base of clients, Dwyka has addressed the lack of formalised drone accreditation programmes in the DRC and other jurisdictions by training operators of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), abroad and providing on-site capacity-building programmes to hone skills.

Smaller Operators

Van Schoor explains that beyond large-scale mining operations, drones are also proving invaluable in the artisanal mining sector, whereby affordable models of drones can support mining activities such as mineral exploration, topographical mapping and security tasks.

Geofencing artisanal mining licences using drones can also help to prevent encroachment by larger mining operations.

Drones can also map roadways to mine sites, mitigating conflicts over resources, and can even be used to assist with logistical challenges such as delivering first-aid supplies to remote areas.

Meanwhile, drone technology is also “seamlessly” integrating with existing mining systems, advancing operational capabilities, as nearly all third-party mine design software now incorporates UAV inputs, enabling streamlined data collection and analysis, he adds.

Data provided by drones can be loaded to cloud-hosted software engines, thereby further enhancing data processing and sharing capabilities, although connectivity remains a challenge in remote regions in Africa.

“The ability to manage large data volumes, both on-premises and in the cloud, will be critical as drone use continues to grow,” Van Schoor says.

He identifies improved connectivity and autonomous drone systems as the next frontiers in mining technology, adding that low earth orbit satellite solutions, such as aerospace company SpaceX’s Starlink communications system, are seen as “game-changers” that will democratise drone technology further.

“Reliable and affordable connectivity will unlock access to powerful software applications and data processing tools, benefiting not only mining companies but also allied industries and government institutions.”

Autonomous drone-in-a-box systems, supported by such connectivity, could also enhance operational scalability by allowing for unmanned inspections of critical infrastructure such as hydroelectric plants and high-voltage substations.

Transformative Operations

Van Schoor says drone technology is already reshaping the mining landscape in the DRC, offering innovative solutions to longstanding operational challenges, with drones being integral to surface and underground mining operations, delivering significant advantages over traditional methods.

On the surface, they provide “unparalleled” aerial perspectives for tasks such as stockpile surveys, bulk material reconciliation and project progress mapping.

“Drones overcome obstacles like dense vegetation, tropical weather and vast distances between sites, enabling comprehensive visualisation of mining areas,” Van Schoor adds.

In underground applications, they are equipped with simultaneous localisation and mapping technology using light detection and ranging payloads – such as the Emesent Hovermap – to map underground mine levels and stopes in high resolution.

The use of drones in DRC mines is so widespread that some sites operate fleets of up to five drones daily to meet production survey demands.

One of the most significant benefits of drone technology is the system’s contribution to safety, as drones operating beyond the visual line-of-sight underground can be used to limit human presence in hazardous areas, he notes.

“Drones have identified geotechnical risks that could have led to accidents, effectively saving lives by removing humans from high-risk zones.”

Additionally, drone-enabled laser scanning technologies have optimised the drill-and-blast cycle, improved ore recovery rates and reduced dilution in mining processes. These operational improvements, combined with rapid data capture and processing, have significantly accelerated project timelines, he enthuses.

“Projects that once took weeks to complete using traditional methods can now be executed in days,” Van Schoor says, adding that high-resolution mapping has enhanced interdepartmental collaboration and decision-making by providing accurate and timely data.