Drones in Mining Years 7 – FREE

Drones in Mining: Mining Matters

Mining underpins modern life – from smartphones and renewable energy to infrastructure and transport. Yet many students have a limited understanding of how the industry operates today and how technology is reshaping it.

Developed in partnership with BHP, this drone-based resource is aligned with the national curriculum for Geography, Digital Technologies and Economics & Business.

Geographical Context

In Year 7, students explore how people use and depend on natural resources and how mining operations shape places, environments, and global systems. Through the lens of drones in mining, students investigate operational decision-making, stockpile monitoring, and how technology supports production efficiency. Real mining examples from BHP sites allow students to understand how Australia’s landscapes and resources connect to global trade, supply chains, and everyday products.

Learning Intention

Students will learn to:

• Describe why mining environments are important and how mined resources support human needs and wants.
• Understand the importance of mined minerals and recognise how modern daily life depends on materials extracted from the Earth.
• Understand how drones improve operational efficiency, accuracy, and safety on mine sites.
• Analyse spatial patterns and features of mining operations using real-world Story Map data.
• Apply systems thinking to understand how mining processes rely on interconnected systems.
• Use digital technologies to design algorithms and drone flight paths for surveying tasks.