Mapping, Modeling and Designing a Marble Quarry Using Integrated Electric Resistivity Tomography and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Study of Adaptive Decision-Making
The characterization of dimensional stone deposits is essential for quarry assessment and design. However, uncertainties in mapping and designing pose significant challenges. To address this issue, an innovative approach is initiated to develop a virtual reality model by integrating unmanned aerial...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Drones |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/4/266 |
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| author | Zahid Hussain Hanan ud Din Haider Jiajie Li Zhengxing Yu Jianxin Fu Siqi Zhang Sitao Zhu Wen Ni Michael Hitch |
| author_facet | Zahid Hussain Hanan ud Din Haider Jiajie Li Zhengxing Yu Jianxin Fu Siqi Zhang Sitao Zhu Wen Ni Michael Hitch |
| author_sort | Zahid Hussain |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The characterization of dimensional stone deposits is essential for quarry assessment and design. However, uncertainties in mapping and designing pose significant challenges. To address this issue, an innovative approach is initiated to develop a virtual reality model by integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry for surface modeling and Electric Resistivity Tomography (ERT) for subsurface deposit imaging. This strategy offers a cost-effective, time-efficient, and safer alternative to traditional surveying methods for challenging mountainous terrain. UAV methodology involved data collection using a DJI Mavic 2 Pro (20 MP camera) with 4 K resolution images captured at 221 m altitude and 80 min flight duration. Images were taken with 75% frontal and 70% side overlaps. The Structure from Motion (SfM) processing chain generated high-resolution outputs, including point clouds, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), Digital Surface Models (DSMs), and orthophotos. To ensure accuracy, five ground control points (GCPs) were established by a Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK GNSS). An ERT method known as vertical electric sounding (VES) revealed subsurface anomalies like solid rock mass, fractured zones and areas of iron leaching within marble deposits. Three Schlumberger (VES-1, 2, 3) and two parallel Wenner (VES-4, 5) arrays to a depth of 60 m were employed. The resistivity signature acquired by PASI RM1 was analyzed using 1D inversion technique software (ZondP1D). The integrated outputs of photogrammetry and subsurface imaging were used to design an optimized quarry with bench heights of 30 feet and widths of 50 feet, utilizing open-source 3D software (Blender, BIM, and InfraWorks). This integrated approach provides a comprehensive understanding of deposit surface and subsurface characteristics, facilitating optimized and sustainable quarry design and extraction. This research demonstrates the value of an innovative approach in synergistic integration of UAV photogrammetry and ERT, which are often used separately, for enhanced characterization, decision-making and promoting sustainable practices in dimensional stone deposits. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a252a2e1a9ca41288a0644282e1bb3b5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2504-446X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Drones |
| spelling | doaj-art-a252a2e1a9ca41288a0644282e1bb3b52025-08-20T02:17:20ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-03-019426610.3390/drones9040266Mapping, Modeling and Designing a Marble Quarry Using Integrated Electric Resistivity Tomography and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Study of Adaptive Decision-MakingZahid Hussain0Hanan ud Din Haider1Jiajie Li2Zhengxing Yu3Jianxin Fu4Siqi Zhang5Sitao Zhu6Wen Ni7Michael Hitch8Key Laboratory of Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Safety Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaMining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Karakoram International University, Gilgit 15100, Gilgit-Baltistan, PakistanKey Laboratory of Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Safety Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaChina Academy of Safety Science and Technology, Beijing 100012, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Safety Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Safety Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Safety Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Safety Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaFaculty of Science, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8, CanadaThe characterization of dimensional stone deposits is essential for quarry assessment and design. However, uncertainties in mapping and designing pose significant challenges. To address this issue, an innovative approach is initiated to develop a virtual reality model by integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry for surface modeling and Electric Resistivity Tomography (ERT) for subsurface deposit imaging. This strategy offers a cost-effective, time-efficient, and safer alternative to traditional surveying methods for challenging mountainous terrain. UAV methodology involved data collection using a DJI Mavic 2 Pro (20 MP camera) with 4 K resolution images captured at 221 m altitude and 80 min flight duration. Images were taken with 75% frontal and 70% side overlaps. The Structure from Motion (SfM) processing chain generated high-resolution outputs, including point clouds, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), Digital Surface Models (DSMs), and orthophotos. To ensure accuracy, five ground control points (GCPs) were established by a Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK GNSS). An ERT method known as vertical electric sounding (VES) revealed subsurface anomalies like solid rock mass, fractured zones and areas of iron leaching within marble deposits. Three Schlumberger (VES-1, 2, 3) and two parallel Wenner (VES-4, 5) arrays to a depth of 60 m were employed. The resistivity signature acquired by PASI RM1 was analyzed using 1D inversion technique software (ZondP1D). The integrated outputs of photogrammetry and subsurface imaging were used to design an optimized quarry with bench heights of 30 feet and widths of 50 feet, utilizing open-source 3D software (Blender, BIM, and InfraWorks). This integrated approach provides a comprehensive understanding of deposit surface and subsurface characteristics, facilitating optimized and sustainable quarry design and extraction. This research demonstrates the value of an innovative approach in synergistic integration of UAV photogrammetry and ERT, which are often used separately, for enhanced characterization, decision-making and promoting sustainable practices in dimensional stone deposits.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/4/266unmanned aerial vehicleselectric resistivity imaging3D modelingmineral explorationvertical electric soundingphotogrammetry |
| spellingShingle | Zahid Hussain Hanan ud Din Haider Jiajie Li Zhengxing Yu Jianxin Fu Siqi Zhang Sitao Zhu Wen Ni Michael Hitch Mapping, Modeling and Designing a Marble Quarry Using Integrated Electric Resistivity Tomography and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Study of Adaptive Decision-Making Drones unmanned aerial vehicles electric resistivity imaging 3D modeling mineral exploration vertical electric sounding photogrammetry |
| title | Mapping, Modeling and Designing a Marble Quarry Using Integrated Electric Resistivity Tomography and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Study of Adaptive Decision-Making |
| title_full | Mapping, Modeling and Designing a Marble Quarry Using Integrated Electric Resistivity Tomography and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Study of Adaptive Decision-Making |
| title_fullStr | Mapping, Modeling and Designing a Marble Quarry Using Integrated Electric Resistivity Tomography and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Study of Adaptive Decision-Making |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mapping, Modeling and Designing a Marble Quarry Using Integrated Electric Resistivity Tomography and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Study of Adaptive Decision-Making |
| title_short | Mapping, Modeling and Designing a Marble Quarry Using Integrated Electric Resistivity Tomography and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Study of Adaptive Decision-Making |
| title_sort | mapping modeling and designing a marble quarry using integrated electric resistivity tomography and unmanned aerial vehicles a study of adaptive decision making |
| topic | unmanned aerial vehicles electric resistivity imaging 3D modeling mineral exploration vertical electric sounding photogrammetry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/4/266 |
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