stockpile report | St Louis Drones

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

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