Comparing Measurement Methods
Not all stockpile measurement methods are created equal. Here's a data-driven comparison of the most common approaches.
GPS Rover Method: 8% Variance
Traditional GPS rover surveys require walking the perimeter and top of each stockpile. Studies show this method produces approximately 8% variance from true volume due to:
- Incomplete surface coverage
- Interpolation between points
- Human error in point selection
- Time constraints limiting point density
Point Cloud Density Advantages
Drone photogrammetry captures millions of points per stockpile, creating a dense point cloud that accurately represents the entire surface. This density eliminates the interpolation errors inherent in sparse GPS surveys.
The Bottom Line
For a $1M inventory, 8% variance means $80,000 of uncertainty. Drone surveys reduce this to under 2%, giving you confidence in your numbers.