How Zenmuse L3 Cut Gold Mine Survey Time To 15 Minutes

In today’s precision-driven mining environment, speed and accuracy are no longer optional; they are mission critical. At one of Australia’s largest open-cut gold mines, survey teams faced an uphill battle. A colossal pit, long drives into the base, hours of scanning, and downtime that delayed decisions. With the DJI Matrice 400 and Zenmuse L3 LiDAR payload, Northern Star Resources now completes full-scale scans in just 15 minutes. This case study offers a compelling benchmark for professional drone users in the UK, especially those working in mining, civil engineering, and large-scale surveying.

The Challenge

Kalgoorlie’s Super Pit is one of the most formidable open-cut mining sites in the world. Spanning 3.5 kilometres in length, 2.5 kilometres in width, and plunging 650 metres deep, the site posed serious surveying obstacles. Previously, surveyors endured a one-hour drive into the pit, followed by five hours of manual scanning and multiple launch stops. Not only was the process inefficient, but it also introduced considerable safety risks.

Traditional drone workflows simply could not accommodate the scale and depth of the site. Teams could not launch flights from the pit rim due to elevation limits, and bottom-up data collection consumed valuable time and resources. Survey deliverables were slow to generate, impeding weekly planning and delaying critical geological assessments.

The objective was clear: reduce scan time, increase data frequency, and improve operational safety and precision.

The Solution

By deploying the DJI Zenmuse L3 payload on the Matrice 400 drone platform, Northern Star Resources revolutionised its surveying operation. Teams now launch from the rim and complete a single flight that captures every contour of the pit, right down to the base. The new workflow includes:

1. Mounting the L3 on the Matrice 400 and planning the mission from the pit rim.
   
2. Executing a high-elevation flight that captures the full mine geometry in one sweep.
   
3. Uploading the data to DJI Terra software for processing.
   
4. Delivering point clouds and analytical outputs used by multiple departments.

Instead of dispatching teams to physically enter the pit, the L3’s long-range capability enables safe and efficient aerial mapping from above. Real-time point cloud previews provide immediate feedback, ensuring nothing is missed during the flight. Any required adjustments can be made instantly, reducing the need for rework.

From five hours down to fifteen minutes, this new method is redefining what drone surveying can achieve.

Why It Works

Extended Reach, Unmatched Accuracy

The Zenmuse L3’s LiDAR module offers up to 950 metres of detection range. Even with highly absorbent surfaces, the system delivers exceptional results from 500 metres altitude and above. Vertical accuracy is within 3 centimetres at 120 metres and 10 centimetres even at 500 metres, providing more than enough precision for professional-grade mining and engineering applications.

This performance allowed surveyors to fly from the rim without sacrificing detail, effectively covering the 650-metre-deep pit with precision.

Single Launch, Full Coverage

Large terrain traditionally requires multiple launch points. The L3’s extended reach and multi-return scanning capabilities made it possible to survey the entire site in one flight from a fixed position. This approach significantly reduced man-hours, flight complexity, and risk.

For a mine spanning over 8.75 square kilometres, the ability to reduce flights from multiple to one simplifies logistics and accelerates data acquisition.

Real-Time Data Feedback

Live point cloud visuals during flight allowed teams to see exactly which sections had been covered. If any gaps or blind spots were detected, the drone could immediately re-fly the affected area before returning. This not only increased confidence in the final outputs but also enhanced efficiency by reducing unnecessary return trips.

Rapid Processing & High-Frequency Updates

Data from the L3 is seamlessly integrated into DJI Terra, where it is processed into digital elevation models, orthophotos, and volumetric data within a much shorter timeframe. Weekly multi-temporal datasets now provide highly accurate insights into how much material has been excavated, where ore movement is happening, and where equipment needs to be deployed.

This feedback loop has optimised the workflows of both geological and mine planning teams, enabling faster, data-driven decision-making.

Real-World Benefits For UK Professionals

For UK-based surveyors, civil engineers, and mine operators, the lessons from Kalgoorlie are directly applicable:

• Time efficiency: Reduce fieldwork from hours to minutes with fewer flights and faster data delivery.
  
• Improved safety: Launching from safe positions reduces exposure to hazardous terrain and vehicle risks.
  
• Scalability: Ideal for large quarry operations, earthworks, and construction projects requiring regular updates.
  
• Lower cost per project: Fewer field days, less manpower, and minimal downtime mean measurable ROI improvements.
  
• Regulatory readiness: The precision and range of the L3 align with evolving UK drone operation requirements.
  
• Stakeholder alignment: Real-time outputs support collaboration across planning, environmental, and compliance departments.

Key Takeaways

1. The L3 enables full mine scans from a single high-elevation flight.
   
2. Survey time was reduced from 5 hours to just 15 minutes.
   
3. Real-time point cloud feedback improves quality and efficiency.
   
4. Data accuracy supports geology, planning, and safety decisions.
   
5. Weekly scans enhance project visibility and responsiveness.
   
6. The system eliminates the need for physical entry into dangerous areas.
   
7. Professional-grade results are achievable with fewer resources.

FAQs

Can I legally operate the Zenmuse L3 at high altitudes in the UK?

Yes, but operators must comply with Civil Aviation Authority regulations. Flights above 120 metres or beyond visual line of sight may require a Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) and operational authorisation.

What drone platform supports the Zenmuse L3?

The L3 is compatible with the DJI Matrice 350 and Matrice 300 series drones. These platforms offer the flight stability, payload capacity, and endurance required for large-scale LiDAR surveying.

What data outputs can I expect from the Zenmuse L3?

Outputs include high-resolution point clouds, digital surface models (DSM), digital terrain models (DTM), orthophotos, and volumetric calculations. These are essential for construction, mining, and environmental assessments.

Do I need ground control points with the Zenmuse L3?

The L3 includes an integrated high-precision positioning system, reducing the dependency on ground control points. However, GCPs may still be useful for absolute accuracy in certain compliance-based projects.

Is the L3 suitable for small-scale projects?

While optimised for large-scale environments, the L3 can also be valuable for smaller sites that demand repeatable, high-precision mapping or where ground access is limited.

Conclusion

This transformation at the Kalgoorlie Super Pit is a defining moment for professional drone surveying. By replacing hours of fieldwork with a single 15-minute flight, the DJI Zenmuse L3 has delivered a leap forward in efficiency, accuracy, and safety. For UK professionals working across mining, civil engineering, and infrastructure, it presents a clear competitive advantage.

The future of terrain mapping is airborne, fast, and data-rich. Make it part of your workflow today.

Explore the DJI Zenmuse L3 payload sensor now at the Coptrz official online store and transform how you survey large-scale environments.