Explore how the Elios 3 drone is transforming inspections in one of the most challenging environments—over 10,000 feet below sea level.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Mining at the World's Deepest Base-Metal Mine

Glencore Kidd Operations, located in Timmins, Ontario, includes the Kidd Concentrator and the Kidd Mine—the world’s deepest base-metal mine. The mine operates over 10,000 feet below sea level and features the longest surface-to-bottom ramp globally. It produces around 40,000 tons of copper and 70,000 tons of zinc annually.

Recognized as an industry leader in innovation and safety, Glencore prioritizes the well-being of its 800 employees and has earned recognition for energy conservation. By integrating advanced technologies like the Elios 3, aerial LiDAR scans, and live data streaming, they are redefining their mining processes to enhance efficiency and safety.

Thanks to a collaboration between Unmanned Aerial Services Inc, Glencore Kidd Operations, and Flyability, the Elios 3 was deployed into the deepest parts of the mine, collecting critical data from depths of 10,000 feet.

Challenges of Surveying in Underground Mines

Data collection is essential for both safety and operational efficiency in mining. At Glencore Kidd, frequent surveys are conducted across horizontal and vertical spaces to identify issues, assess stope conditions, and evaluate blast effectiveness. However, these tasks are often time-consuming and risky.

"Being the deepest base-metal mine in the world, the conditions here are definitely more challenging than other operations," says James Comeau, Long Range Planning Lead. Underground areas lack GPS signals and are often dark, dusty, and difficult to access. Traditional methods involve walking long distances or using expensive equipment, resulting in limited data coverage.

In inaccessible areas, engineers have to move production loaders and attach scanners, which is not only costly but also leads to incomplete data. For vertical spaces, workers often rely on guesswork, drilling, and manual sensor insertion—processes that take days and require significant resources.

Introducing Drones for Underground Surveys

To overcome these challenges, Glencore has adopted the Elios 3, a drone specifically designed for GPS-denied and dark environments. Its compact, collision-resistant design allows it to navigate tight and dangerous spaces safely. With live-streaming capabilities, the Elios 3 enables real-time collaboration among teams, improving decision-making and efficiency.

"You can cover so much more ground when you're flying it with a drone than you can on foot," says Megan Gidden, Ground Control Engineer. In vertical spaces, the Elios 3 can fly directly into boreholes, scanning entire surfaces and eliminating the need for guesswork. "It’s fantastic for us to be able to get into places that other drones just can’t sneak into," she adds.

"I see [Elios 3] as being a true replacement for human eyes underground," says Comeau.

The team at Glencore Kidd Operations saves time, reduces costs, and enhances safety by using the Elios 3 for visual inspections and mapping in GPS-deprived environments. When processed, the data provides valuable insights that support better decision-making across departments.

"Once you've collected all your data... that's when the fun part starts," says Gidden. The Elios 3 combines high-resolution video with accurate LiDAR point clouds, offering a new level of detail that was previously unattainable without drilling.

Comeau agrees that this data presentation offers a fresh perspective for all stakeholders. "In meetings, we bring in different departments, and each person looks at the data from their own viewpoint. That helps us make better decisions together," he explains.

Transforming Mining Through Drone Technology

The Elios 3 is revolutionizing how Glencore Kidd Operations conducts inspections. It safely collects reliable data in previously inaccessible areas, such as vertical bores and ore passes—tasks that once required extensive time, costly equipment, and human risk.

Ground engineers now have actionable data without having to go underground. This allows them to visualize and understand the environment more effectively, making better-informed decisions. "It can definitely cope with the environment. I’ve never seen areas where it struggled with dust or lighting," says Gidden.

The Future of Mining with the Elios 3

Glencore Kidd Operations is using the Elios 3 to shift from reactive maintenance to predictive analysis, improving safety and reducing downtime. By equipping more staff with drones, the company aims to integrate data capture and scanning into regular workflows. This will allow for continuous monitoring, historical comparisons, and better planning over time.

"E3 does almost any job we can think up for it," says Iain McKillip, Manager of Mine Technician Services. "It goes places other drones can't." His vision is to deploy the Elios 3 continuously, creating a comprehensive data library that can be accessed and analyzed as needed.

"The ultimate goal is to gather as much data as possible without even knowing if we're looking for something. Then we can have a library and look back whenever we need," he adds.

Learn more about how Elios is transforming mining at: /mining

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