Volumetric estimation for quarries, waste management and bulk materials
Measuring the volumes of material stored or handled is a common requirement across many sectors: quarries and mining operations, waste management and bulk material storage facilities. In all these contexts, knowing the exact quantity of material present is fundamental for production accounting, stock valuation and monitoring the progress of works.
Today, these estimates are often made by eye or using empirical calculations, with a margin of error that affects stocktaking, accounting and operational decisions. The use of drones (photogrammetry) and LiDAR technology, on the other hand, provides accurate, reliable and repeatable data over time, independent of the operator’s subjective judgement.
Depending on the context and site characteristics, we select the most suitable technology to ensure maximum accuracy.
Current volume and change over time
Our service addresses two distinct needs:
- Estimation of current volume — the quantity of material present at a given moment, for inventory, stock valuation or reporting purposes.
- Calculation of changes over time — the comparison of two or more successive surveys to measure how much material has been removed or added, useful, for example, for accounting for excavated material in a quarry or for quantifying the volumes of excavated and backfilled material on an earthworks site.
For earthworks site accounting, we focus here on the calculation of volumes of excavated and backfilled material. For the topographical representation of the site — site plan, elevations and terrain model — please see our planimetric and altimetric surveying service.
What makes drone- and LiDAR-based volume estimation possible
The system captures high-resolution data and images, offering the ability to:
- map the entire area and accurately calculate the volumes of materials present;
- compare successive surveys to quantify the material removed or added between two dates;
- support production accounting and the valuation of stock;
- provide documentable and repeatable data, which is also useful for reporting purposes.
A scalable solution for every operational context
The solution is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing business processes, offering an intuitive, scalable interface suited to a variety of contexts — from quarries to waste management facilities, right through to bulk material storage sites.
