UAV-Based Photogrammetric Inspection in Deep Vertical Shafts: A Case Study from the KGHM GG-1 Mineshaft in Poland
Underground mining operations depend heavily on vertical shafts for access, ventilation, and ore transport, making their structural integrity and safety critical to overall mine performance. Traditional shaft inspections, though rigorous, are limited by human accessibility, environmental hazards, and subjective evaluation. This study presents the development and initial testing of a novel unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system designed specifically for shaft inspections in deep mining environments. The research focuses on the GG-1 shaft in Kwielice, Poland—the country’s deepest operational shaft—where challenging conditions such as high ventilation airflow, confined geometry, and absence of GNSS signals necessitated innovative solutions. A custom-built hexacopter equipped with high-resolution cameras and photogrammetric capabilities was deployed to capture detailed visual and spatial data. This article presents complementary path of UAV evolution, from concept, early development stage and results without positioning system through to the description of final results including positioning system and all six cameras until results of high-altitude flights. Results demonstrate that UAV-based inspection can deliver sufficient precision for identifying structural irregularities, documenting shaft infrastructure, and enhancing safety monitoring. The findings highlight the potential of UAV technology as a complementary tool to conventional inspections, offering improved data quality, reduced risk to personnel, and a new approach to shaft maintenance.