A case study on deformation analysis of an open-pit mine using UAV photogrammetry

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 9 - 21, 30.06.2025

Mehmet Ünlü , Özgün Akçay

https://doi.org/10.53093/mephoj.1628236

Abstract

Innovative technologies, particularly photogrammetry and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), significantly enhance efficiency and ensure security across various domains. In open-pit mines, which are the focus of this article, continuous monitoring of the ground surface and accurate detection of deformations are crucial for operational efficiency and occupational safety. This study examines the open-pit mine near the village of Çomaklı in the Çan district of Çanakkale province, exploring the general definition of deformation analysis and measurements using the UAV-based photogrammetric method. It discusses applying deformation analysis in mining and using UAVs in deformation studies with technological advancements. It also provides detailed information about the methodology and data collected. Aerial photographs of the mine site were captured to analyze deformation over time. A 3D surface model of the terrain was generated using the Pix4D Mapper software, enabling the assessment of volume changes in a specified working area within the stripping zone and identifying these changes through cross-sections. The results demonstrated that UAV-based photogrammetry could accurately detect volumetric changes, achieving a vertical root mean square error of approximately 8 mm and an accuracy of about 99.10% in volume estimation.

Keywords

UAV Photogrammetry, Open-pit mining, Deformation Analysis, 3D Modeling, Deformation monitoring

Ethical Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Thanks

We would like to thank Sercan İlhan, Geomatics Engineer; Mahmut İsmail Uysal, Geomatics Engineer; and Mehmet Adıgüzel, Surveying Technician, for their assistance with the fieldwork for this study.

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