Tag Archives: 3D drone mapping

Why More Companies Are Using Drones for Stockpile Reports: Elevating Accuracy, Efficiency, and ROI

In the fast-paced world of logistics, mining, construction, and materials management, precision and speed are critical. Whether you’re reporting inventory to stakeholders, conducting compliance audits, or planning future procurement, accurate stockpile measurements can directly impact financial forecasting and operational success. Increasingly, companies are turning to drone technology to handle stockpile reporting—and for good reason.

At St Louis Drones, we’ve seen firsthand how aerial solutions are transforming traditional inventory tracking, reducing risk, and enhancing operational insight. Below, we break down why more businesses are trading manual surveys and ground-based estimates for drone-powered stockpile reports.

1. Precision That Outperforms Manual Methods

Manual stockpile measurement techniques—such as walking the perimeter with a GPS rover or using ground-based laser scans—are time-consuming and prone to human error. Drones, however, use advanced photogrammetry and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to create accurate 3D models that provide volumetric data down to a few centimeters of error. This level of precision allows for better resource management, waste reduction, and stronger forecasting.

2. Time-Saving and Cost-Effective

Traditional survey methods can require shutting down operations, rerouting equipment, and coordinating multiple teams. A licensed drone pilot can collect all necessary data in a fraction of the time—often in under an hour. Faster data collection means you can complete more frequent stockpile reports without affecting your daily workflow. The resulting operational savings quickly offset the cost of drone services.

St Louis Drones shooting with REM Tech, Mark Epstein (l) and Karl Remick for volumetric stockpile reporting.

3. Improved Safety and Risk Mitigation

Climbing piles of aggregate, sand, coal, or scrap metal poses serious safety risks. Using drones eliminates the need for personnel to physically access stockpiles. Aerial surveys keep your employees on the ground, away from unstable terrain and heavy machinery—reducing liability and ensuring compliance with OSHA safety standards.

4. Data That Drives Decisions

Drones capture high-resolution imagery, which can be processed into 3D point clouds, contour maps, and orthomosaic images. These deliverables don’t just look impressive—they provide actionable insights. Operations managers, procurement specialists, and finance teams can easily compare stockpile volumes over time, identify shrinkage or overstock trends, and streamline inventory reconciliation processes.

5. Scalable and Repeatable

Whether you manage a single facility or dozens across the region, drone stockpile reporting is a scalable solution. Once the flight plan is established, recurring surveys can be scheduled at weekly, monthly, or quarterly intervals. The repeatable nature of drone workflows ensures consistent data over time, which is ideal for long-term project tracking or year-over-year comparisons.

How St Louis Drones Helps You Get the Most from Drone Technology

At St Louis Drones, we specialize in full-service commercial drone photography and video production—including stockpile documentation. We bring decades of visual production expertise and the latest drone mapping tools to every project. Our licensed drone pilots are trained to operate in complex environments, including indoor facilities, industrial sites, and restricted airspace.

In addition to field capture, our in-house post-production team uses cutting-edge AI-enhanced software to process your drone data quickly and accurately. From delivering clean volumetric reports to repurposing aerial visuals for marketing, we know how to transform raw drone imagery into strategic business tools.

Since 1982, our expert crews have supported organizations across St. Louis—partnering with businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies to deliver successful video and photography projects tailored to each client’s unique goals.

St Louis Drones offers:

Licensed and insured drone pilots
Full-service aerial video and photography
Studio and on-location production
AI-powered editing and post-production
Customized solutions for construction, logistics, and industrial sites
Indoor drone operations for challenging environments
Safe and accurate stockpile measurement solutions
Scalable visual asset creation for ongoing needs

We are well-versed in all file types, media styles, and software ecosystems, ensuring that your deliverables are compatible with your internal reporting systems or external marketing platforms.

When precision, safety, and visual quality matter, St Louis Drones delivers. Let us help you elevate your next stockpile report—literally.

Rob Haller 314-604-6544 stlouisdrones@gmail.com

How to Use Drones to Measure Stockpiles and Track Volumes More Accurately

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In the world of mining, construction, and aggregate industries, accurate measurement and management of stockpiles are critical. Traditionally, this process involved labor-intensive and time-consuming methods, often yielding inconsistent results. However, with the advent of drone technology, these industries have found a more efficient, accurate, and safer way to measure stockpiles and track volumes. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how drones can revolutionize your stockpile measurement processes.

The Advantages of Using Drones for Stockpile Measurement

Efficiency and Time Savings

Using drones to measure stockpiles significantly reduces the time required for data collection. Traditional methods may take hours or even days, depending on the site’s size and complexity. In contrast, a drone can complete the same task in a fraction of the time, often within minutes. This efficiency translates to cost savings and allows for more frequent surveys, ensuring up-to-date inventory data.

Enhanced Accuracy

Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors capture geo-referenced images from above the worksite. These images are processed using photogrammetry software to create precise 3D maps of the site. The accuracy of these measurements is unparalleled, often within a few centimeters, providing reliable data for inventory management and project planning.

Safety Improvements

Traditional stockpile measurement methods often involve personnel climbing unstable piles or navigating heavy machinery, posing significant safety risks. Drones eliminate the need for physical contact with the stockpiles, enhancing worker safety and reducing the likelihood of accidents.

How Drone Surveys Work

Data Collection

A drone equipped with a high-resolution camera flies over the worksite, capturing a series of overlapping images. These images are geo-referenced, meaning they are tagged with precise GPS coordinates, ensuring accurate spatial data.

Data Processing

The captured images are processed using photogrammetry software, which stitches them together to create a detailed 3D map of the site. This map can be analyzed to take various measurements, including stockpile volumes, surface areas, and elevation changes.

Data Analysis and Reporting

Drone survey visualization software leverages the accuracy of the 3D maps to provide actionable data. Users can compare current stockpile volumes to previous surveys, track site progress, and even compare stockpile surveys to final grade design files. This capability allows for precise calculations of how much material needs to be added or removed.

Applications of Drone Technology in Stockpile Management

Mining and Aggregates

For professionals in the mining and aggregates industries, drone surveys offer a reliable way to manage stockpile inventories. The precise volume calculations help in maintaining optimal stock levels, planning extraction activities, and ensuring efficient resource utilization.

Construction Sites

Construction sites benefit from drone surveys by quickly and accurately surveying large areas. The 3D maps generated provide valuable insights into site progress, material requirements, and compliance with design specifications.

Environmental Monitoring

Drones also play a crucial role in environmental monitoring by tracking changes in landscapes and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The ability to capture high-resolution images and generate 3D models aids in assessing the impact of mining and construction activities on the surrounding environment.

Why Choose St Louis Drones and Photo for Your Drone Survey Needs

At St Louis Drones and Photo, we are a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company with extensive experience in image and stockpile inventory data acquisition. Our team is equipped with the latest technology and creative expertise to deliver exceptional results for your business.

Comprehensive Services

We offer a wide range of services, including full-service studio and location video and photography, editing, post-production, and licensed drone pilots. Our capabilities allow us to customize productions to meet diverse media requirements, from repurposing your photography and video branding to ensuring you gain more traction in your market.

State-of-the-Art Equipment and Expertise

Our private studio lighting and visual setup are perfect for small productions and interview scenes. The studio is large enough to incorporate props, creating a complete set for your production. We also offer specialized drones capable of indoor flights, providing versatile solutions for various production needs.

Experienced and Dedicated Team

Our experienced team can assist with every aspect of your production, from custom interview studio setups to providing sound and camera operators. We have the equipment and expertise to make your next video production perfect.

Proven Track Record

St Louis Drones and Photo has successfully partnered with numerous businesses to gather data and measure stockpiles. Our commitment to accuracy, efficiency, and safety has made us a trusted provider in the industry.

In conclusion, leveraging drone technology for stockpile measurement and volume tracking offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and safety. With St Louis Drones and Photo, you can trust that your data acquisition needs are in expert hands, ensuring the best outcomes for your projects. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with your next drone survey and production needs.

Rob Haller 314-604-6544 stlouisdrones@gmail.com

3D Orthomosaic Mapping and FLIR Thermal Imaging

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Orthomosaic Imagery

Drone Aerial Mapping

Map out your manufacturing plant, or your property to check for elevation, draining or highlight specific areas and show them in 3D.

Othomosaic is perfect for all of the above. It consolidates numerous pictures into a single, highly detailed one you can zoom in on any part.

Drone Infrared and Thermal Imaging

We’re sUAS Thermography Level I certified and can provide you the drone infrared photos and/or videos of your plant location of property

Matrice 200 SUV Drone

Obstacle Avoidance – A robust Flight Autonomy system with front, bottom and upper sensors detects and avoids obstacles while enabling precision hovering so that you can fly with confidence.

Anti-Collision Beacon

Equipped with new top and bottom anti-collision beacons, the V2 drones are visible at night or in lowlight conditions, making operation in less than ideal conditions safer.

DJI AirSense

With a built-in ADS-B receiver, the DJI AirSense technology enhances airspace safety by automatically providing the operator with real-time information about nearby airplanes and helicopters.

Thermal FLIR

Join our next generation of commercial drone solutions with the XT2.

Pairing the FLIR Tau 2 thermal sensor and 4K visual camera with

DJI’s leading stabilization and machine intelligence technology,

the XT2 quickly transforms aerial data into powerful thermal insights

that save time, money – and lives.

Create Orthomosaic Maps

Orthomosaics are large, map-quality images made by combining aerial photos that have been orthorectified, or corrected for lens distortion, camera tilt, perspective, and topographic relief.

Use our drone imagery to generate high-resolution 2D maps and 3D models. We’ll capture aerial images ideal for your type of project, process and generate orthomosaic maps and 3D models, and allow you to use your maps to measure distance, area, and volume.

St Louis Arch stock footage | Drone Aerials

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St Louis Arch Stock Aerial Photography and Video. We have an abundant assortment of aerials for you. In many instances, we can shoot requested footage for a reasonable price also. St Louis Drones is a fully insured aerial cinematography company offering professional photography and video for the St Louis and Midwest region. Our drones use the latest safety and technology in aerial cinematography.
Drone Services strive on safely capturing aerial footage that will highlight your unique vision and produce stunning visuals from a diverse perspective. We offer cost efficient drone packages that enable our clients to obtain aerial footage where it once would have been too expensive. Safety is always our first priority.

St Louis Arch Stock Photography and Video

Rob Haller 314-604-6544
stlouisdrones@gmail.com

Hotel Restaurant Marketing Communications | St Louis Aerial Filming

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Due to their size drones are able to fly into areas that were once not possible. They can fly from only a few feet off of the ground to 400 feet in the air as one long continuous shot, while panning and framing a chosen subject. With our unique filming tools our crew can video tape aerial views inside a room and out through a window or door, giving the aerial film makers a very unique shot.

St Louis Drone Navigator and Pilot. Certified and fully insured.

Drones can 360-degree rotate on the spot, move left, right up or down, all at the touch of the pilot’s command, while giving the navigator total autonomy to position the camera to frame the perfect shot.

314-892-1233
stlouisdrones@gmail.com
Robert Haller, St Louis Video Producer

Creating value from drone-captured 3D data is where future aerial stands out from the crowd.

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Our experts use the latest technology to create photo-realistic 3D point-cloud and mesh models of structures and landscapes, which are interactive, high-resolution and highly accurate. This allows us to create model data that is of real use to our customers and not simply a bit of eye-candy.

Safe to Fly 333 exemption. Two person drone crew.

Visual Inspections become:

MORE EFFICIENT. Space and structure can be modelled in immense detail once and then reviewed and re-reviewed indefinitely thereafter. With traditional inspections, the inspection team would need to revisit the site if the initial pass was not satisfactory

QUICKER. Drones can cover surfaces or structures faster than traditional methods

CHEAPER. Avoid costs associated with engaging traditional inspections teams, associated equipment and insurance costs.

COMPARABLE to previous traditional and 3d modelled inspections. A 3D model created from drone-captured data is a photo-realistic, point-in-time copy of the subject space or structure. Mapping changes over time is made possible in a way never achievable before.

MEASURABLE. Our 3D models are accurate. Engineers, Architects, Planners can measure structures and landscapes, the height of stockpiles or the depth of excavations to a degree of accuracy acceptable to regulatory bodies and inspectors.

3D mapping and surveying become:

POSSIBLE in areas where manned aircraft borne LiDAR is not suitable

CHEAPER. Avoid costs associated with engaging traditional methods, associated equipment and insurance costs. Drone based 3D modelling is up to 5x cheaper than LiDAR for areas under 60km2*

COMPARABLE to previous traditional and 3D modelled surveys. In effect, a 3D model created from drone-captured data is a photo-realistic, point-in-time-copy of the subject (space of structure). Mapping changes over time is made possible in a way never possible before.

MEASURABLE. Our 3D models are accurate. 3D Game Designers, Surveyors and planners can use our 3D models to develop realistic simulations of current and proposed structures for use in Games, Environmental analysis among many industries

Rob Haller
314-604-6544
stlouisdrones@gmail.com

St Louis Drones | Belleville Memorial Hospital Tour | Commercial Advertising

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Some wonderful opening sunrise video shots with our Cinematography camera on our Inspire Drone with 4K video. Our clients were as pleased as our team was with the creative visual results.

Drone aerials add a unique blend of imagery for just about any type of marketing or training production. FAA Certified, Two Person Crew for safer and better aerial results.

Fly safely and get better images with an FAA Certified Two Person Crew! We specialize in commercial video production and photography for marketing, advertising commercials and training.

Rob Haller
314-604-6544
stlouisdrones@gmail.com

Drone Aerial Video Production for Live Events

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We have safely documented hundreds of live events! St Louis Drones is a Video Production and Photography company. We are a small firm that has been in the photography and video business since 1982. In the past we’ve shot traditional aerials, but over the past two years we have logged many thousands of hours with our aerial drones.
We have our 333 exemption from the FAA as Safe-To-Fly. We adhere to all FAA guidelines. For safety and quality, we shoot with a two-man crew, and we are fully insured. Our pilot always keeps visual contact with the drone, while our navigator guides and directs the shot.
The Inspire has a curved lens design which eliminates distortion, and the 20mm focal length opens up your shots to a remarkably wide angle without that fish-eye look. The camera shoots video at 4K, 4096 x 2150 High Definition.