PR_LGS & SwissDrones_draftC.doc

Leica Geosystems Mining Global Head Office, 270 Gladstone Rd

Dutton Park, Q, 4102 www.leica-geosystems.com/mining

Author Ms Stefana Vella, Global Marketing, Leica Geosystems Mining Mr Ruedi Wagner, VP of Imaging, Leica Geosystems Geospatial Solutions

Publication Immediately

Date 21 September 12

Leica Geosystems Mining and SwissDrones to provide UAV-based mapping (Global Release, 21 September 12) Leica Geosystems, the world’s leading manufacturer of airborne mapping solutions, together with SwissDrones, a Swiss-based engineering company for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), have agreed to collaborate on creating a UAV-based platform for photogrammetric mapping applications. “In recent years, interest in UAV-based mapping solutions has increased considerably”, says Ruedi Wagner, VP of Imaging at Leica Geosystems Geospatial Solutions Division. “We recognize that there is already a variety of different approaches, aircraft and payloads available in the market and as the market continues to develop, so does the expectation from our customers for the highest accuracy and image quality. Integrating a multispectral metric camera such as the Leica RCD30 with a suitable UAV and workflow is, in our view, highly likely to deliver what our customers expect, be that in the areas of traditional mapping or in other applications, such as mining and monitoring.” SwissDrones, a recently founded engineering company in the Rhine Valley, Switzerland, brings together a range of experts with longstanding expertise in designing, developing and operating unmanned aerial vehicles in a variety of applications around the world. “We have operated and designed UAVs for mapping and many other applications such as crop spraying, movie making and the monitoring of gas pipelines and power lines,” says Daniel Kraettli, Managing Director of SwissDrones. “We are excited to collaborate with Leica Geosystems to deliver a high-end UAV mapping solution to the global market.” Mr Wagner states, “Our approach has always been to understand the market and be at the forefront of understanding this technology. We take safety very seriously, particularly in the mining environment and this has been a major consideration when working with SwissDrones in the design of this UAV.” The Leica Geosystems prototype UAV for Mining applications will be showcased at MINExpo in Las Vegas from 24 to 26 September this year at the Leica Geosystems Mining booth, Central Hall 2, Booth 5633. Word Count 310

PR_LGS & SwissDrones_draftC.doc

2 Leica Geosystems Mining Global Head Office, 270 Gladstone Rd

Dutton Park, Q, 4102 www.leica-geosystems.com/mining

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right Leica Geosystems Mining is a tier one provider of life-of-mine measurement solutions. We are the supplier of choice for over 100 mines around the globe, offering a complete portfolio of class-leading measurement technologies capable of positioning, monitoring and scanning every phase of the mine life cycle. From pit to port, from exploration to remediation, we have the TPS, GNSS, HD scanning, slope monitoring, fleet management, production optimization, high precision guidance and autonomous control solutions (and more) to partner you through the life of your mine. Leica Geosystems Mining is a division of Leica Geosystems Pty Ltd. With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information. Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden. Images & Attachments 1. The Leica Geosystems UAV

2. UAV flier

For further information please contact: Stefana Vella Global Marketing Manager Leica Geosystems Mining Phone: +61 3891 9772 Direct: +61 7 3117 8977 Mobile: +61 414 754 123 stefana.vella@leica-geosystems.com www.leica-geosystems.com/mining