Exploration Support
Exploration programs often begin in areas where reliable terrain information is limited or outdated. Without clear topographic context, evaluating targets and interpreting surface conditions across large areas can be challenging. RPM’s aerial LiDAR provides a high-confidence terrain baseline across large, remote exploration blocks, delivering detailed DEMs, contours, and terrain derivatives that give exploration teams a clearer view of the landscape. These datasets support the interpretation of surficial and Quaternary geology, help identify potential outcrop locations and structural patterns, and provide valuable topographic context for integrating and interpreting geophysical data. By improving understanding of terrain and surface expression, LiDAR can help exploration professionals identify areas of interest, make more informed predictions about subsurface geology, and focus efforts on the most promising and cost-effective targets, while also supporting access planning in challenging terrain.
Mining & Project Development Support
As projects move toward development and production, detailed terrain data becomes essential for infrastructure planning and operational logistics. RPM’s LiDAR datasets support mine planning and site development activities including road and pad siting, slope and drainage evaluation, infrastructure layout, and logistics planning across complex terrain. High-resolution DEMs provide the topographic foundation needed for engineering studies, site design, and operational planning, helping teams make confident decisions based on accurate terrain data.
Service Capability
RPM brings years of experience working in Atlantic Canada and deep familiarity with local terrain and operating conditions. Depending on the area to be covered and site conditions, RPM can deploy helicopter or drone LiDAR and recommend the most economical, efficient approach to get the data you need on schedule. Deliverables integrate cleanly into GIS and engineering workflows.
RPM Provides:
- High-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs), contours, and terrain derivatives to support exploration and mining analysis
- Large-area LiDAR coverage suited to regional exploration programs and mine development footprints
- Terrain baselines for access planning, drill pad and infrastructure siting, slope assessment, and drainage review
- Repeat LiDAR surveys for change detection, monitoring, and documentation as projects evolve
Underground Infrastructure
OLS
Digital Twin
Compliance Mapping
FAQs
Welcome to FAQs
Please select a frequently asked question from the menu below.
When is aerial LiDAR most effective for mineral exploration projects?
Aerial LiDAR is especially valuable in early-stage exploration for surgical geology, to identify outcrops, understand glacial movements, and aid in the formation of geological theory. For later stage exploration, LiDAR offers value in the planning and construction of exploration roads, infrastructure placement, and construction of power & communication lines.
What advantage does airborne LiDAR offer over traditional ground surveys?
Traditional ground surveys often face challenges with site access, safety, and limited data density. In difficult terrain, especially areas with dense vegetation, GNSS signal can be unreliable, sometimes forcing crews to “pull in” points by briefly raising equipment to regain signal, which can impact data consistency.
Airborne LiDAR removes these constraints. It enables safe, rapid coverage of large areas while capturing vastly higher data density, often thousands of times more than traditional methods. It also provides both detailed terrain models and full canopy information, supporting better planning and more informed environmental assessments, all without the limitations of ground-based GNSS conditions.
Is it better to use Helicopters or Drones (RPAS) for LiDAR surveys?
Both Helicopter and RPAS offer comparable datasets in both density and accuracy, however, their application is situational. Helicopter surveys are best suited for large areas of interest, where access is limited. In situations such as these the use of RPAS suffers from several limitations including flight time (battery / fuel limitations), Line of sight requirements, and most importantly, operational safety.
RPAS Surveys however, are best suited for small focused areas of interest with reasonable site access. In these situations, helicopter usage can be prohibitively expensive and could be negatively impacted by helicopter availability.
RPM Prioritizes identifying the most suitable data collection method for your project, to minimize cost, maximize efficiency, and provide you with high quality data on your timeline.
Can aerial LiDAR penetrate vegetation?
LiDAR does not penetrate vegetation. As a light-based technology, each pulse reflects off the first surface it hits. However, because airborne LiDAR systems emit hundreds of thousands of pulses per second in a radial pattern, many of those pulses naturally find gaps between leaves, branches, and other vegetation to reach the ground.
This high point density allows LiDAR to build accurate terrain models beneath forest canopies. A simple way to think about it is: if you can see spots of sunlight reaching the forest floor, LiDAR can capture the ground there as well.
How does aerial LiDAR support mine planning and development?
Accurate terrain models support pit design, pit stability assessments, haul road planning, drainage analysis, volumetric calculations, and infrastructure layout, anywhere one would usually default to a traditional topographic survey. With increased speed and density, the resulting elevation data reduces uncertainty during feasibility, design, and production phases.
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