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Stockpile Volume Measurement with Drones: A Complete Guide

Accurate stockpile volume measurement is crucial for project planning, cost control, and inventory management in various sectors, including mining, construction, agriculture, and logistics. These measurements were traditionally made with heavy machinery or ground surveys, which are costly, time-consuming, and prone to mistakes. These days, stockpile measurement has been transformed by drones in conjunction with cutting-edge photogrammetry and LiDAR technology, providing quicker, safer, and more accurate findings.


This article describes the technologies, advantages, procedures, and best practices of drone-based stockpile volume measurement.


Stockpile Volume Measurement with Drones
Stockpile Volume Measurement with Drones

What is Stockpile Volume Measurement?


The act of determining the volume of bulk material, such as sand, gravel, coal, or ore, stored in piles is known as stockpile volume measurement. The information is utilized for:


  • Management of inventories

  • Planning for resources

  • Supply chain optimization and logistics

  • Reporting and compliance


Conventional techniques that necessitate site access include laser scanners and hand surveying using GPS/Total Stations. In addition to taking a lot of time, climbing unstable heaps presents safety hazards.


Why Use Drones for Stockpile Measurement?


  1. Speed and Efficiency


Large stockyards can be photographed from the air by drone in a matter of minutes as opposed to hours or days using ground-based techniques.


  1. High Accuracy


Depending on the circumstances, drone surveys can attain an accuracy of 2–5 cm using RTK/PPK GPS and sophisticated photogrammetry software.


  1. Safety


Drones record everything remotely, eliminating the need for operators to work in confined spaces or scale dangerous mounds.


  1. Cost Savings


When compared to conventional methods, drone surveys can result in cost savings of up to 60% by reducing manpower, equipment rental, and downtime.


  1. 3D Visualization & Digital Twins


Drone data can be transformed into orthomosaics, point clouds, and 3D models for improved analysis and decision-making.


How Drone Stockpile Measurement Works


Step 1: Making a flight plan


  • Using mission planning software, define the survey area.

  • Determine the ground sampling distance (GSD), overlap percentage, and flying height.


Step 2: Gathering Information


  • The drone uses its LiDAR sensor or onboard camera to take geotagged aerial photos.

  • RTK/PPK adjustments or ground control points (GCPs) are employed for increased accuracy.


Step 3: Processing Data



Step 4: Calculating Volume


  • By comparing the stockpile surface with a reference base—either ground level or a predetermined boundary—the software determines volume.

  • For additional analysis, reports can be exported in CSV, PDF, or CAD formats.


Drone Technologies for Stockpile Surveys


  1. Multirotor drones are excellent for small to medium-sized stockyards since they are precise and agile.

  2. Because they can fly for extended periods of time, fixed-wing drones are perfect for scanning vast mining or construction sites.

  3. LiDAR drones provide improved 3D accuracy and are useful when stockpiles are covered in vegetation or have poor texture.

  4. RTK/PPK systems offer geographic precision down to the centimetre without heavily depending on GCPs.


Best Practices for Accurate Drone Stockpile Measurement


  • Keep your altitude between 50 and 120 meters, depending on the size of the place.

  • Make use of enough overlap—at least 60% sidelap and 70% frontlap.

  • Before taking off, calibrate sensors and verify drone GPS systems.

  • To lessen image distortion, stay out of windy or dimly lit areas.

  • Verify results frequently using ground truth measures to ensure consistency.


Choosing the Right Software for Drone Stockpile Measurement


Typical software options consist of:


  • Advanced photogrammetry with capabilities for volume calculation is provided by Pix4Dmapper.

  • DroneDeploy: Processing in the cloud with intuitive dashboards.

  • Agisoft Metashape: GIS integration and high-precision 3D modelling.

  • Propeller Aero: Designed specifically for the mining and construction sectors.


Industries are changing as a result of the precise, secure, and affordable solutions that drone-based stockpile volume assessment offers. Drones simplify processes, lower human risk, and deliver actionable data instantly across a variety of industries, including mining and construction.


The future of stockpile assessment will be even more automated and accurate as drone technology advances with AI, RTK, and LiDAR, saving businesses time, money, and resources.


For more information or any questions regarding the stockpile volume measurement, please don't hesitate to contact us at


USA (HQ): (720) 702–4849

India: 98260-76466 - Pradeep Shrivastava

Canada: (519) 590 9999

Mexico: 55 5941 3755

UK & Spain: +44 12358 56710


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