Development of a UAV-mounted system for remotely collecting mine water samples

Accurate and frequent measurement of mine water quality is essential for timely management and regulatory requirements. At mines, traditional water sample collection practices are sometimes unsafe or impractical due to accessibility challenges. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based remote water sampling has benefits in accessing small, shallow and isolated waterbodies in hazardous environments. In this study, an integrated electromechanical pneumatic system was developed to provide an effective, efficient and safer means to acquire mine water samples using UAVs. The system was tested to collect and analyse ponded water from a tailings storage facility to measure pH, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen.