Monitoring Slope Stability: A Comprehensive Review of UAV Applications in Open-Pit Mining
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have increasingly proven to be flexible tools for mapping mine terrain, offering expedient and precise data compared to alternatives. Photogrammetric outputs are particularly beneficial in open pit operations and waste dump areas, since they enable cost-effective and...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1193 |
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| author | Stephanos Tsachouridis Francis Pavloudakis Constantinos Sachpazis Vassilios Tsioukas |
| author_facet | Stephanos Tsachouridis Francis Pavloudakis Constantinos Sachpazis Vassilios Tsioukas |
| author_sort | Stephanos Tsachouridis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have increasingly proven to be flexible tools for mapping mine terrain, offering expedient and precise data compared to alternatives. Photogrammetric outputs are particularly beneficial in open pit operations and waste dump areas, since they enable cost-effective and reproducible digital terrain models. Meanwhile, UAV-based LiDAR has proven invaluable in situations where uniform ground surfaces, dense vegetation, or steep slopes challenge purely photogrammetric solutions. Recent advances in machine learning and deep learning have further enhanced the capacity to distinguish critical features, such as vegetation and fractured rock surfaces, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents and ecological damage. Nevertheless, scientific gaps remain to be researched. Standardization around flight practices, sensor selection, and data verification persists as elusive, and most mining sites still rely on limited, multi-temporal surveys that may not capture sudden changes in slope conditions. Complexity lies in devising strategies for rehabilitated dumps, where post-mining restoration efforts involve vegetation regrowth, erosion mitigation, and altered land use. Through expanded sensor integration and refined automated analysis, approaches could shift from information gathering to ongoing hazard assessment and environmental surveillance. This evolution would improve both safety and environmental stewardship, reflecting the emerging role of UAVs in advancing a more sustainable future for mining. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-43d1967cb7a742e6a8d5aab2eed1a45d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-43d1967cb7a742e6a8d5aab2eed1a45d2025-08-20T03:27:40ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-06-01146119310.3390/land14061193Monitoring Slope Stability: A Comprehensive Review of UAV Applications in Open-Pit MiningStephanos Tsachouridis0Francis Pavloudakis1Constantinos Sachpazis2Vassilios Tsioukas3Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, GreeceDepartment of Mineral Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, GreeceDepartment of Mineral Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, GreeceSchool of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have increasingly proven to be flexible tools for mapping mine terrain, offering expedient and precise data compared to alternatives. Photogrammetric outputs are particularly beneficial in open pit operations and waste dump areas, since they enable cost-effective and reproducible digital terrain models. Meanwhile, UAV-based LiDAR has proven invaluable in situations where uniform ground surfaces, dense vegetation, or steep slopes challenge purely photogrammetric solutions. Recent advances in machine learning and deep learning have further enhanced the capacity to distinguish critical features, such as vegetation and fractured rock surfaces, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents and ecological damage. Nevertheless, scientific gaps remain to be researched. Standardization around flight practices, sensor selection, and data verification persists as elusive, and most mining sites still rely on limited, multi-temporal surveys that may not capture sudden changes in slope conditions. Complexity lies in devising strategies for rehabilitated dumps, where post-mining restoration efforts involve vegetation regrowth, erosion mitigation, and altered land use. Through expanded sensor integration and refined automated analysis, approaches could shift from information gathering to ongoing hazard assessment and environmental surveillance. This evolution would improve both safety and environmental stewardship, reflecting the emerging role of UAVs in advancing a more sustainable future for mining.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1193UAVdronephotogrammetryLiDARslope stabilitymining |
| spellingShingle | Stephanos Tsachouridis Francis Pavloudakis Constantinos Sachpazis Vassilios Tsioukas Monitoring Slope Stability: A Comprehensive Review of UAV Applications in Open-Pit Mining Land UAV drone photogrammetry LiDAR slope stability mining |
| title | Monitoring Slope Stability: A Comprehensive Review of UAV Applications in Open-Pit Mining |
| title_full | Monitoring Slope Stability: A Comprehensive Review of UAV Applications in Open-Pit Mining |
| title_fullStr | Monitoring Slope Stability: A Comprehensive Review of UAV Applications in Open-Pit Mining |
| title_full_unstemmed | Monitoring Slope Stability: A Comprehensive Review of UAV Applications in Open-Pit Mining |
| title_short | Monitoring Slope Stability: A Comprehensive Review of UAV Applications in Open-Pit Mining |
| title_sort | monitoring slope stability a comprehensive review of uav applications in open pit mining |
| topic | UAV drone photogrammetry LiDAR slope stability mining |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1193 |
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