Drummond: Colombia’s first mining company with Unmanned Aerial Systems Operation Certification (CDO-U)
La Loma, March 30, 2026
Reaffirming its commitment to technological innovation and operational safety, Drummond Ltd. received the Certificate of Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems – CDO – U ( UAS – Unamanned Aircraft System ), granted by the Civil Aeronautics Authority of Colombia (AEROCIVIL), becoming the first mining company in the country to obtain this recognition under the Colombian Aeronautical Regulation RAC100.
This certification recognizes the company’s compliance with the highest international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for unmanned aviation, ensuring that its drone operations are conducted safely in airspace shared with manned aviation. “It is impossible not to think about all the people who have made this achievement possible. I thank the Applied Technologies group, the UAS pilots, and the Engineering and Safety leaders for their commitment and dedication. Reaching this goal without their effort would not have been possible,” said Mauricio Arango, senior mining engineer at Drummond Ltd.
A rigorous and collaborative certification process
The process began in January 2024, when the company embarked on the path to certification under the new RAC100 regulation, while continuing its UAS operations under the RAC91 framework.
To this end, an interdisciplinary working group was formed between the areas of Engineering, Physical Security and Legal, with the technical support of Escamérica, an entity with experience in training for unmanned aviation.
During the process, the pilots and the Management System coordination team were trained in UAS Operational Safety, BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) proficiency and night operations, meeting the technical requirements demanded by Aerocivil.
After passing the stages of document evaluation, inspection and demonstration, Drummond showed the correct adaptation of its procedures to the new regulation, consolidating a robust UAS Operational Safety Management System aligned with national and international requirements.
“We congratulate Drummond for having made the decision to carry out this certification process and understanding that unmanned aviation and the use of unmanned aircraft systems are under standards and operational safety parameters, established in RAC 100 and RAC 219,” commented Mario Rodríguez Montoya, coordinator of the Urban Air Mobility Group of AEROCIVIL.
Technology that drives efficiency and precision
Technology that drives efficiency and precision Since 2019, Drummond has incorporated the use of drones as a key tool to optimize its operational processes. Today, fixed-wing and multirotor UAS operations support engineering, surveillance, mine planning, environmental monitoring, construction, industrial safety, communications, and other activities.
These systems allow simultaneous operations with up to four aircraft, covering around 2,000 hectares in 45 minutes, reaching distances of up to 6 kilometers and heights of 400 meters above sea level, with stable and secure communication links.
Currently, the company has a fleet of 16 aircraft and certified pilots with BVLOS qualifications and night shifts, strengthening the technical and operational capacity of their teams in the mines and the port.
First to be certified under the RAC100
Just as Drummond pioneered certification as an RPAS Operator under RAC91 in previous years, today it sets a new precedent in the mining industry by obtaining this new certification under RAC100, reaffirming its leadership in technology, safety and regulatory compliance.
With this milestone, the company consolidates its commitment to responsible innovation and safe operation, pillars that distinguish it in the implementation of advanced technologies that contribute to modern, efficient and sustainable mining.
