SUMMARY:
Drone Specialist – Mining Industry
Location: Middelburg or Witbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa (Local candidates preferred)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: R450,000 – R750,000 per annum (based on experience, qualifications, and licensing)
Role Overview
A high-performing mining company in Middelburg/Witbank is looking to appoint a qualified and experienced Drone Specialist to lead the integration, operation, and optimization of drone technologies across mining, surveying, safety, and environmental operations. This is a strategic and technical role, suitable for a specialist who can drive drone-enabled workflows, oversee drone fleet management, and implement AI-powered data analysis tools in line with modern mining demands.
This role requires a combination of flight operations, data processing, and drone system integration expertise, and is ideal for a candidate with deep technical knowledge, leadership capability, and a passion for continuous innovation.
POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities
Drone Strategy & Implementation
- Design and implement drone strategies that support mine planning, production monitoring, environmental management, safety inspections, and logistics.
- Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and flight protocols for safe and efficient UAV deployment.
- Advise on drone hardware and software selection based on project needs and advancements in UAV technology.
Flight Operations & Oversight
- Conduct and oversee drone flights for volumetrics, terrain mapping, stockpile monitoring, infrastructure inspections, environmental surveillance, and emergency response.
- Supervise compliance with SACAA Part 101 regulations and ensure alignment with mine site aviation safety procedures.
- Maintain oversight of drone pilots, flight scheduling, and mission approvals.
- Data Processing & Analysis
- Process drone-captured data into actionable outputs including orthomosaics, digital terrain models (DTMs), 3D models, and GIS layers.
- Integrate UAV data into mine planning and monitoring systems, collaborating with surveyors, geologists, engineers, and environmental officers.
- Ensure data quality, accuracy, and timely delivery to internal clients using platforms such as Pix4D, DroneDeploy, Agisoft, Global Mapper, ArcGIS, or equivalent tools.
System Integration & Automation
Champion the integration of AI-driven analytics, real-time telemetry, and cloud-based UAV management systems into operational processes.
- Collaborate with IT and survey departments to embed drone solutions into mine ERP and technical workflows.
- Evaluate emerging technologies for autonomous flight, obstacle avoidance, thermal imaging, and AI-enabled object recognition.
- Fleet & Equipment Management
- Manage and maintain the company’s drone fleet, including airframes, payloads, sensors (e.g., LiDAR, multispectral), and batteries.
- Oversee firmware updates, calibrations, repairs, and documentation to ensure fleet readiness.
- Ensure all flights and maintenance logs are up to date and auditable.
- Training & Compliance
- Train and mentor junior drone pilots and technicians on UAV safety, operation, and data processing.
- Maintain company compliance with aviation, safety, and data security policies.
- Ensure all operators adhere to SACAA regulations, ROC procedures, and site-specific flight restrictions.
Qualifications & Certifications
- Education: Degree or diploma in Geomatics, GIS, Remote Sensing, Engineering, or similar technical discipline.
- Licensing:
- Valid Remote Pilot License (RPL) under SACAA Part 101.
- Valid Class 3 Medical Certificate.
- Affiliation to a ROC (Remote Operating Certificate) or experience managing drone operations under ROC.
- Experience: Minimum 5–7 years of experience in drone operations, with at least 3 years in an industrial/mining setting.
- Proven experience in high-level drone data processing and enterprise drone system management is essential.
Technical Skills
- Mastery of drone platforms such as DJI Enterprise, SenseFly, Parrot, or fixed-wing UAVs.
- Advanced proficiency in photogrammetry and GIS software: Pix4D, DroneDeploy, Agisoft Metashape, Global Mapper, ArcGIS.
- Experience in LiDAR, multispectral sensors, RTK/PPK workflows, and 3D modeling.
- Comfortable with cloud-based drone management platforms and telemetry systems.
- Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Office, data visualization, and CAD/GIS integration.
- Proactive in adopting AI-based analytics, automation tools, and real-time monitoring systems.
Core Competencies & Attributes
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to align drone operations with broader mine and business objectives.
- Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of drone systems, hardware specs, flight mechanics, and data architecture.
- Leadership: Capable of leading a small team of drone pilots and technicians and managing cross-departmental collaboration.
- Efficiency-Driven: Focused on achieving operational accuracy and reducing turnaround time in data reporting.
- Resilience: Performs well under pressure, meets tight deadlines, and adapts to field or weather disruptions.
- Integrity: Committed to safety, data confidentiality, and ethical UAV operations.
- Innovation-Oriented: Passionate about drone tech advancement and bringing smart aerial solutions to mining challenges.
Additional Requirements
- Valid driver’s license and own transport preferred.
- Willingness to travel regularly between sites and work outdoors under various environmental conditions.
- Must have a clear criminal record and no adverse media exposure.
- Willingness to undergo and comply with company’s lie detector (polygraph) policy.
- Availability for extended hours and weekends when critical flights or emergencies arise.
Remuneration
- Salary Range: R450,000 – R750,000 per annum, depending on licensing, skills, and seniority.
- Benefits: May include performance bonuses, travel allowances, and access to professional development programs.
- This is a high-reward role in a future-focused company where drone specialists are critical to digital transformation in mining.
