Cutting Edge Drone Inspection at the Newmont Corporation Lihir Island Mine, Papua New Guinea | Nurosight Robotics

Nurosight Robotics recently completed a major drone inspection campaign at the Lihir Island gold mine, operated by Newmont Corporation in Papua New Guinea. This high-stakes project demonstrated our expertise in confined-space drone inspection and external infrastructure assessment, delivering comprehensive visual and thermal data with no human entry required and no production downtime.

Project Overview

Client: Newmont Corporation – Lihir Gold Mine

Location: Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea

Service: Combined confined-space and external drone inspections

Technology Used:

• DJI M30T for external inspections

• Flybotix ASIO X for internal ducting access

• Flyability Elios 3 for complex confined space inspections

Inspection Goals:

• Conduct internal inspections of autoclaves, ducting, tanks and other confined-space assets.

• Perform thermal and visual inspections of external mine infrastructure.

• Eliminate the need for human entry into dangerous areas.

• Deliver actionable data without halting operations.

• Ensure full compliance with mine-site safety protocols.

Technology, Execution & Outcomes

Confined-Space Inspections

Using our specialized drone platforms, Nurosight Robotics accessed areas that are typically inaccessible or high-risk: autoclave vessel interiors, sealed ducting systems and inaccessible plant compartments. The drones captured:

• 4K video and high-resolution still imagery

• LiDAR-generated point clouds for structural modelling

• Real-time video feeds to support live engineering review

Accessing the Inaccessible — Nurosight Robotics’ confined-space drones safely inspect autoclaves, ducting systems, and plant interiors in stunning 4K detail

External Inspections

For above-ground infrastructure, we deployed drones equipped with:

• Thermal cameras to detect insulation faults and temperature anomalies

• High-zoom optical sensors to capture detailed visual imagery of elevated and difficult-to-reach assets

Ready for lift-off. Our DJI M30T delivers detailed visual and thermal inspections of industrial assets — safely, efficiently, and with zero downtime.

Execution Strategy

1. Site Planning & Logistics – Managed the remote logistics of drone importation and coordination with mine HSE policies.

2. Inspection Campaign – Conducted simultaneous internal and external inspections using designated drone platforms; live engineering support enabled on-site decision-making.

3. Reporting & Data Delivery – Generated annotated reports, LiDAR-based 3D models and cloud accessibility for the client’s engineering and maintenance teams.

Key Outcomes

• Zero confined-space entry required

• No production shutdowns during inspection

• Comprehensive visualisation of both internal and external assets

• Identification of heat anomalies via non-contact methods

• Enhanced safety, faster data collection and high-resolution reporting

Why This Matters

In challenging environments like remote mining sites, traditional inspection methods (scaffolding, rope access, human entry) often increase risk, cost and downtime. At Lihir Island, Nurosight Robotics delivered a safer, more efficient and data-rich inspection outcome that supports asset integrity, operational continuity and regulatory compliance.

Lessons Learned & Best Practices

• Early coordination with client HSE and logistics teams is critical for remote site access.

• Pre-inspection risk assessments and tailored drone platform selection ensure safe and efficient operations.

• Real-time data feeds to engineering teams can accelerate decision-making and maintenance planning.

• Combining visual, thermal and LiDAR data creates a richer output for asset managers.

Looking Ahead

Nurosight Robotics continues to push the boundaries of drone inspection technology across Australia and the Pacific region. Whether you operate in mining, infrastructure, water or energy sectors, our integrated robotic inspection solutions deliver the insight and safety you need.