During a mine permit renewal application process, MDA Consulting Engineers required accurate topographical data for an approximately 70-acre active gravel mine. The site was operational, time-sensitive, and presented safety and access challenges that made traditional ground-based surveying inefficient and risky. The goal was to collect high-quality topographic data quickly so the permit application could be completed on schedule.

Routine bridge inspections are typically performed using under-bridge inspection units (UBIUs), scaffolding, rope access, or boat-based methods. In this case, none of those options were feasible or cost-effective.