Drone Specialist

• 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.

• 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

• 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 companys 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.

• 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 57 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Valid drivers 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 companys lie detector (polygraph) policy.
• Availability for extended hours and weekends when critical flights or emergencies arise.

• 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.