DJI Enterprise Unveils White Paper on Mining Automation Strategies

DJI Enterprise has launched a new white paper titled, “Implementing an Automated Mining Workflow using DJI Dock: A How-To Guide for Successfully Integrating the DJI Dock into Your Mining Operations.” Released on October 30, 2025, this report offers a comprehensive roadmap for mining industry leaders aiming to transition from traditional manual drone operations to automated systems for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) missions.

The white paper highlights the importance of automation in mining, emphasizing how adopting such technology can significantly enhance operational efficiency, data standardization, and worker safety. By leveraging automated workflows, mining operations can conduct more frequent inspections, which supports rapid decision-making and improves overall safety across mine sites.

Automation’s Impact on Mining Operations

The mining sector is a substantial industry, generating revenues exceeding US$3 trillion in 2023. As automation technologies become more prevalent, they promise to revolutionize operations by increasing efficiency and sustainability. The white paper details the end-to-end process for integrating DJI’s drone-in-box enterprise solution, the DJI Dock, along with its flight control software, FlightHub 2.

Implementing the DJI Dock has led to remarkable productivity improvements. For example, the time needed to capture and process a post-blast photogrammetry survey has reduced from 1.2 hours to just 30 minutes. During an eight-hour shift, remote pilots can now perform approximately 150-200 flights, equating to up to 50 flight hours monthly. The introduction of automated ground control points (GCP) has also streamlined data processing, cutting time by as much as 94%.

Enhancing Safety Through Automation

Mining environments are often hazardous, marked by large machinery, open voids, and explosive activities. The adoption of automated workflows allows operators to conduct inspections from a Remote Operations Center (ROC), keeping them away from dangerous areas. This not only enhances safety but also enables quick analysis of blast movements, facilitating safer operational restarts.

Additionally, the white paper points out that more frequent surveys can be performed without exposing workers to risks. Coupled with intelligent analysis and alert systems, operators can ensure that assets and pipelines remain in good condition, meet environmental compliance standards, and support ongoing infrastructure development.

The white paper includes two case studies from Australian mining operations demonstrating successful automation strategies. At Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri iron ore mine in the Pilbara region, automated drone operations proved resilient against extreme weather conditions, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency. This setup allowed for data-driven decision-making through remotely monitored flights and automatic aircraft recharging.

Similarly, at the Paddington Operations in Kalgoorlie, the DJI Dock facilitated aerial surveys of post-blast muck piles. Utilizing AI-driven modeling, operators improved grade control, reduced ore dilution, and lowered processing costs by delivering higher-quality ore to the processing plant.

For more insights and detailed strategies on mining automation, the full white paper is available for download. As the industry moves towards greater automation, the findings presented by DJI Enterprise could serve as a critical resource for operational improvement across the global mining sector.