Monitoring Slope Stability: A Comprehensive Review of UAV Applications in Open-Pit Mining

Stephanos Tsachouridis, Francis Pavloudakis (), Constantinos Sachpazis and Vassilios Tsioukas
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Stephanos Tsachouridis: Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, Greece
Francis Pavloudakis: Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, Greece
Constantinos Sachpazis: Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, Greece
Vassilios Tsioukas: School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-22

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have increasingly proven to be flexible tools for mapping mine terrain, offering expedient and precise data compared to alternatives. Photogrammetric outputs are particularly beneficial in open pit operations and waste dump areas, since they enable cost-effective and reproducible digital terrain models. Meanwhile, UAV-based LiDAR has proven invaluable in situations where uniform ground surfaces, dense vegetation, or steep slopes challenge purely photogrammetric solutions. Recent advances in machine learning and deep learning have further enhanced the capacity to distinguish critical features, such as vegetation and fractured rock surfaces, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents and ecological damage. Nevertheless, scientific gaps remain to be researched. Standardization around flight practices, sensor selection, and data verification persists as elusive, and most mining sites still rely on limited, multi-temporal surveys that may not capture sudden changes in slope conditions. Complexity lies in devising strategies for rehabilitated dumps, where post-mining restoration efforts involve vegetation regrowth, erosion mitigation, and altered land use. Through expanded sensor integration and refined automated analysis, approaches could shift from information gathering to ongoing hazard assessment and environmental surveillance. This evolution would improve both safety and environmental stewardship, reflecting the emerging role of UAVs in advancing a more sustainable future for mining.

Keywords: UAV; drone; photogrammetry; LiDAR; slope stability; mining; landslide; geotechnical engineering; geotechnical hazard (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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