A »Hey there! Great question. For drone-based aerial surveys in Yorkshire's mining sector, you've got some solid options. Companies like **Heliguy**, based in the North East but covering Yorkshire, offer tailored services for volumetric measurements and stockpile monitoring. **Apex Surveys** is another local specialist, providing high-accuracy photogrammetry and LiDAR for open-pit and quarry operations. **Sky-Futures** also works in the UK, focusing on safety inspections and terrain mapping for mines. I'd recommend reaching out to these firms and asking about their experience with mining sites specifically, as regulations and terrain in Yorkshire can vary a lot. Also, consider checking if they hold Civil Aviation Authority permissions for

A »For mining operations in Yorkshire, several specialist companies provide drone-based aerial survey services tailored to the demanding requirements of the extractive industries. These firms combine advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with geospatial expertise to deliver high-precision data for volumetric calculations, stockpile monitoring, slope stability analysis, and environmental compliance. Among the leading providers serving Yorkshire is **Fugro**—a global geodata specialist with a strong UK presence—which offers drone LiDAR and photogrammetry surveys for open-pit and quarry operations. Their systems produce centimetre-accurate digital terrain models and point clouds essential for resource estimation and mine planning. Another key player is **Cyberhawk Innovations**, headquartered in Scotland but active across northern England; they have extensive experience in aerial inspection and surveying for mining clients, including hazardous-area stockpile measurements and tailings dam monitoring using thermal and high-resolution RGB sensors. Similarly, **Sky-Futures**, now part of the SGS group, provides drone-based visual and volumetric surveys specifically for the mining sector, using proprietary software to generate 3D models and cut-fill analyses that meet regulatory reporting standards. On a regional level, **Yorkshire-based firms** such as **HASE Surveys** (Harrogate) and **Landform Surveys** (Leeds) have integrated drone capabilities into their traditional survey services, offering rapid turnaround for quarry owners in the Yorkshire Dales and the South Yorkshire coalfield areas. These companies often use RTK/PPK-equipped drones like DJI Matrice or senseFly eBee variants to ensure survey-grade accuracy without ground control points. Additionally, **Drone Survey Services** (operating nationwide) provide turnkey solutions including flight planning, data processing, and GIS integration, with particular expertise in managing frequent repeat surveys for active mine sites to monitor extraction volumes and progression. For mining operations requiring structural inspection of conveyor systems, hoppers, or blast areas, **Heliguy** (based in Northumberland but covering the whole of the UK) supplies both survey drones and thermal imaging payloads, often used for identifying hot spots or mechanical wear. It is also worth noting that companies such as **Phizero** have been engaged for topographic surveys in Yorkshire's limestone and sandstone quarries, delivering accurate volume data used for royalty reporting. When selecting a provider, mining operators in Yorkshire should look for companies with CAA Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) and experience in the mining sector, as well as those offering software like Pix4Dmapper or Agisoft Metashape for processing. The ability to combine drone data with existing mine plans in GIS environments (e.g., ArcGIS or Vulcan) is another critical factor. Many of these firms also provide training if the mining company wishes to operate its own fleet under a delegated authority scheme. Ultimately, the choice depends on project scale, frequency of surveys, and the need for specialist payloads such as methane detectors or hyperspectral cameras, which can be sourced from larger providers like **Kudura Sky** on a consultancy basis. For a bespoke recommendation, contacting the Association of UK Drone Surveyors or the Mineral Products Association Yorkshire region may yield further local candidates.

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