In a groundbreaking move that marks a significant shift in Australia’s aviation landscape, RocketDNA, a pioneering drones-as-a-service provider, has secured its maiden long-term contract with Calidus Resources Limited.

The achievement comes hot on the heels of RocketDNA’s recent approval from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to deploy autonomous drone technology.

This partnership heralds a new era for Calidus Resources, a Western Australia-based mining company, as it embraces RocketDNA’s innovative xBot® solution.

The implementation of the xBot® solution will revolutionise Caldius’ traditional surveying practices, allowing the WA-based mining company to safely monitor its site from the air, with the drone monitored by a pilot located at an off-site remote operating centre (ROC) in Perth or Adelaide.

Gone are the days of conventional surveying methods; now, Calidus can harness the power of autonomous drones to oversee its operations safely and efficiently from the skies above.

The three-year agreement comprises the provision of an autonomous xBot® solution featuring:

• The SurveyBot®, a state-of-the-art drone-in-a-box surveying system, equipped with DJI hardware and monitored remotely from RocketDNA’s advanced ROCs
• Integration of Strayos AI software for streamlined data processing, analysis and automated stockpile volumetric reporting
• Access to RocketDNA’s proprietary SiteTube® data visualisation platform, ensuring secure hosting and seamless access to critical, real-time data

Deployed at Calidus’ Blue Bar pit, a satellite open pit operation located 70 km by gravel road from Calidus’ Warrawoona Gold Project, the SurveyBot® system will deliver daily surveys, stockpile volume reports and real-time imagery, providing invaluable situational awareness to off-site personnel.

This reduces the frequency of and removes the need for extensive daily travel by a human to undertake site surveys or to respond to any potentially dangerous emergencies involving Calidus’ infrastructure.

It also leverages rapid data processing time and AI insights for mine optimisation and provides oversight of mining operations to remote senior management. 

RocketDNA CEO Christopher Clark expressed excitement about the transformative potential of the agreement stating: “By leveraging our innovative xBot® technology and advanced AI-driven software, we are empowering mining companies to optimise their processes while minimising risk to personnel.

“The components within this specific contract also demonstrate the breadth of our product suite and how the different components of xBot®, ROC, Strayos and Sitetube® can be harnessed to provide an overall solution which will set new standards for efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the industry.”

RocketDNA is currently completing the assembly of its first batch of five xBots® from in-stock components, one of which has been allocated to Calidus. After site safety reviews and preparation, it will be commissioned within the next three months.

Calidus Resources, under the leadership of Managing Director Dave Reeves, is prioritising safety and operational efficiency. The company has initiated operations at several smaller satellite pits, which don’t necessitate dedicated survey teams on-site.

“The xBot not only allows daily pickups for survey to be completed efficiently, but the associated video also allows our planning team in Perth to understand exactly how the operations are progressing and allow for rapid reaction if required,” Reeves said

“We look forward to partnering with RocketDNA and see great potential for this technology on our other sites as they come online,” he said.

The xBOT® system is assembled in Perth and boasts a compact size equivalent to that of two pallets. Weighing a mere 100kg, it offers exceptional mobility, allowing effortless relocation as per operational needs.

Equipped with DJI drones featuring an impressive 7km range, they can be seamlessly integrated into a network for extensive coverage of expansive areas.

RocketDNA proudly stands as the inaugural Australian company to attain CASA approval for the state-of-the-art DJI Dock System.