Caterpillar has taken another step toward the fully digital mine by acquiring technology company Skycatch, whose drone-based artificial intelligence platform creates dynamic 3D models of mining operations. The acquisition will enable mine operators to monitor changes across active sites in near real time.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition follows Caterpillar’s recent purchase of RPMGlobal and further expands the company’s portfolio of digital mining solutions. The goal is to help customers manage material movement more accurately while improving the performance of both conventional and autonomous mining equipment.
Skycatch’s platform combines drone surveys with artificial intelligence to generate high-resolution spatial models of mine sites. Instead of relying on outdated reports, mine managers receive an up-to-date digital representation of operations, enabling faster decision-making and more precise production planning.
Denise Johnson, Group President of Caterpillar’s Resource Industries segment, said that integrating high-resolution spatial data into the RPM and MineStar platforms will improve safety, productivity, and operational predictability. The technology is expected to benefit both manned fleets and autonomous mining systems.
RPMGlobal CEO Richard Mathews highlighted another key advantage: Skycatch’s technology dramatically accelerates the processing of large volumes of geospatial data. As a result, mine plans can be updated during a shift, significantly reducing the gap between engineering plans and actual field operations.
Skycatch founder Christian Sanz described the acquisition as the company’s next chapter, expressing confidence that Caterpillar’s global resources will strengthen customer support and enhance the value of the platform.
With the acquisition, Caterpillar continues to assemble the building blocks of the digital mine. High-resolution spatial data, artificial intelligence, and digital twin technology are being integrated into a single ecosystem where operational decisions are driven by an accurate, real-time three-dimensional view of the mine.
Source: MINING.COM
Image: Caterpillar
