Drone Production for Uranium Mine Monitoring Begins in Ulan-Ude
In Buryatia's capital, the U-U PPO has launched production of unmanned aerial systems designed for remote airborne monitoring in Arctic conditions. The systems are being manufactured for Khiagda JSC, a uranium mining enterprise within Rosatom's Mining Division.
The unmanned aerial systems are designed to provide around-the-clock monitoring of industrial facilities. Operators receive precise location data on process pipelines, power transmission lines, process solution reservoirs, and electrical substations.
Each system is equipped with photographic and video imaging capabilities as well as thermal cameras. The thermal imaging equipment detects heat-transfer fluid leaks, insulation damage, and temperature anomalies along extended sections of infrastructure. This enables operators to identify faults before they develop into emergency situations and to schedule maintenance without dispatching field crews to remote sites.
Airborne monitoring replaces conventional inspections conducted on foot or by vehicle, which in remote terrain can take several days and require substantial resources. A single drone flight can inspect dozens of kilometers of pipelines while transmitting data directly to the operations center.
Operation in Extreme Climate Conditions
Engineers have adapted the systems for operation in the Bauntovsky Evenki District in northern Buryatia. The aircraft are designed to operate in mountainous terrain at elevations exceeding 900 meters above sea level.
The UAVs feature a specialized design that enables operation in temperatures ranging from -60°C to +40°C. They remain fully functional in humidity levels of up to 98% and can withstand wind gusts of up to 15 meters per second. These operating parameters match the climatic conditions found in the Arctic regions where the uranium deposits are located.
The production launch supports the objectives of Russia's federal Bespilotnye Aviatsionnye Sistemy (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) national project, which is aimed at advancing domestic unmanned aviation technologies and developing equipment for a wide range of industrial sectors.
Supporting the Nuclear Industry
Khiagda is Buryatia's only uranium producer using the in-situ recovery (ISR) method. This approach is considered one of the most environmentally responsible uranium extraction technologies because it eliminates the need for open excavation or the movement of large volumes of rock. Uranium is recovered from underground formations through wells using specialized process solutions before being processed into uranium concentrate.
The extracted uranium is supplied to Rosatom's Fuel Division, where it is processed into nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants. Thus, the airborne monitoring systems deployed in Buryatia contribute directly to securing the raw material base that supports Russia's nuclear energy sector. Any leaks of process solutions or damage to pipelines at a uranium production facility require immediate attention, and the drones significantly reduce the time needed to detect such incidents.
Production Capability
The U-U PPO specializes in the development and manufacture of high-technology equipment for a range of industrial sectors. The launch of unmanned aerial system production expands the company's capabilities in the field of industrial drone technologies.
The company already has experience working with industrial customers and incorporates stringent equipment reliability requirements for demanding operating environments into its designs. Its manufacturing capacity supports serial production of the systems as well as long-term service and maintenance. This provides a foundation for further expansion of the company's unmanned systems business and for supplying customers in additional regions. Production of unmanned aerial system in Ulan-Ude provides the Khiagda uranium mining operation with Russian-made equipment for monitoring industrial infrastructure in the challenging conditions of the Arctic.
