A Slashdot user aesoteric writes "Australia's top miners have opened a new front in their march to automation, flying unmanned aerial vehicles in increasing numbers at remote sites across the country. They've been used to inspect a fire-damaged oil rig, perform aerial photography and stockpile surveys.

There is also a trend towards non U.S.-built UAVs, due to the lag in receiving export approvals for the aircraft and spare parts."

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/302240,australian-miners-send-drones-...

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/12/05/29/003205/autralian-mining-com...