“The mining industry has seen a surge in the adoption of drone technology in recent years.” Mughilan Thiru Ramasamy, Co-founder and CEO of Skylark Drones

Mughilan holds a master’s degree in Aerospace Systems from Purdue University, Indiana (USA). Mughilan designed over 8 Un-Manned Aerial Vehicles, all of which were successfully test-flown; he led the team to win the NASA Systems Engineering Award for engineering a holistic UAV-based solution. Mughilan is also on the R.V. College of Engineering board and helps them design industry-relevant courses. He has given over 100 talks and workshops.

AL Circle: Please brief us on the functionalities of Spectra and their usage in bauxite mining.

Mughilan: Spectra is a worksite intelligence platform that harnesses drone data to provide actionable insights. By using drone images, Spectra generates accurate 3D models at a centimetre scale, aiding in precise planning and monitoring. It runs on the cloud, allowing teams easy and secure data access. Spectra generates reports that can be used for management reviews and performance audits on demand. It is scalable across multiple worksites. Spectra is a unified cloud platform for end-to-end data processing, visualization, analytics and reporting.

With Spectra, mining companies can conduct faster surveys, monitor extraction volumes without being on the field and perform continuous analysis of the haul roads, making timely decisions related to maintenance. Spectra helps companies assess asset performance regularly, boosting overall productivity. With Spectra's aerial monitoring solution, mine operators can automate time-consuming lease boundary and post-blast inspections, safeguarding the health of personnel and equipment.

AL Circle: How does the product optimise mining operations and increase efficiency?

Mughilan: Spectra enables clients to monitor the progress of mining plans more effectively. The accurate collection of topographic data sets allows management to track mine progress with centimetre-level precision. It tracks changes in cut and fill volumes, making material management more efficient and allows for precise volume measurements of stockpiles and excavated areas. It offers a 3D cross-section analysis for a clearer view of the site’s structure and identifies deviations in haul roads from designs that can help reduce fuel usage by up to 10%. Altogether, Spectra supports better planning, faster construction, and efficient mining operations.

AL Circle: What is the acceptance level of Spectra in a traditional industry like bauxite mining?

Mughilan:  The mining industry has seen a surge in the adoption of drone technology in recent years. Drones have proven versatile in exploration, surveying and monitoring. This shift has led to higher demand for processing and storage capabilities, resulting in higher software adoption rates. At Skylark Drones, we have helped plan, monitor, and sustain eight large-cap metal and mining enterprises' solutions for over six types of metals and ores more effectively. Spectra has enabled India's largest enterprises with actionable drone insights. We anticipate significant growth for Spectra as an increasing number of companies adopt the latest technologies.

AL Circle: Which bauxite miners have used your drone technology, and what benefits have they experienced? Please share a case study to illustrate this.

Mughilan: We have worked with Hindalco in the Lohardaga region, which is known for its Naxal activity. Leveraging our advanced technology, we conducted surveillance and analytics to ensure the safety of Hindalco’s mining team on the ground. Without aerial surveillance, it would have been impossible for them to complete the project safely. We have also collaborated with Balco in the past on mapping projects in the Rajasthan region. We have consistently ensured that our clients can complete projects more swiftly and with the utmost accuracy.

AL Circle: How does this technology reduce the risk of injury in mining operations, and does it enhance companies’ profitability?

Mughilan: With Spectra's aerial monitoring solution, mine operators can automate the time-consuming tasks of lease boundary, haul road analysis, and post-blast inspections, thereby protecting the health of both personnel and equipment. In terms of profitability, the technology contributes to increased efficiency by improving planning accuracy, streamlining operations, and reducing downtime. The ability to monitor progress and production closely, manage resources more effectively and ensure regulatory compliance all lead to cost savings and enhanced operational performance, ultimately boosting the company's bottom line.

AL Circle: How are the latest advanced digital technologies transforming operations in the global bauxite mining industry?

Mughilan: Digital twin technology is having a huge impact. You can monitor and analyse everything in real time by creating a virtual replica of mining operations. It allows the mining companies to simulate different scenarios and adjust before affecting the actual operations. Then there's data analytics. Companies collect massive amounts of data from their mining activities, from equipment performance to ore quality. By diving into this data, they can predict when maintenance is needed, which helps them avoid unexpected downtime. It also helps them fine-tune the extraction processes to maximise ore recovery and minimise waste. Lastly, automation is transforming the work on the ground. With UAVs, companies are boosting productivity and enhancing safety. Automated systems handle repetitive and dangerous tasks, reducing risk for the team and ensuring tasks are completed with high precision.

AL Circle: Is the Asian mining industry, primarily bauxite, receptive to adopting new-age technologies?

Mughilan: Not just bauxite but the entire mining industry looks positive towards adopting cutting-edge technologies. While there are still challenges, the overall outlook remains positive. Our portfolio spans beyond the bauxite mining sector, having served over 100 enterprise clients across diverse industries, including infrastructure, renewable energy and agriculture.