Deep under the Australian Outback, mining companies are testing a drone that can fly by itself beyond where miners can reach, and use lasers to map pitch-black surroundings.Video/Photo: Mike Cherney/WSJJUNDEE, Australia—Hundreds of feet underground here, scientists are experimenting with a technology that could transform how mining companies dig out rocks in dangerous, pitch-black caves: fully autonomous drones. The drones would fly without any pilot assistance into areas too risky for human miners. Using a rotating laser similar to those on autonomous cars, they would create three-dimensional maps more detailed than what is available now, helping miners excavate more gold and other commodities that might otherwise be missed.

Source: Wall Street Journal November 05, 2017 12:56 UTC