The rapid emergence of the low altitude economy as a strategic emerging industry has garnered significant attention, particularly following its inclusion in national policy documents as a new engine for industrial upgrading. This study explores the integration of the geological exploration industry with the low altitude economy, leveraging the “543 Framework” theory outlined in relevant white papers. The low altitude economy, defined as economic activities centered on flight operations at altitudes below 3000 meters, encompasses infrastructure, equipment manufacturing, and data services. It represents a transformative force for traditional industries, including geological exploration, which is poised to benefit from advancements in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), remote sensing, and data analytics. This paper examines the unique advantages, opportunities, and challenges faced by the geological exploration sector in adopting low altitude economy technologies, and proposes a synergistic path of “policy-technology-industry” collaboration to foster high-quality development.
The geological exploration industry possesses inherent strengths in spatial data acquisition, resource monitoring, and data processing, which align seamlessly with the demands of the low altitude economy. For instance, UAVs equipped with high-resolution sensors can cover complex terrains at rates exceeding 5 square kilometers per hour, significantly enhancing data collection efficiency. Similarly, integration of technologies like InSAR allows for centimeter-level surface deformation monitoring, crucial for geological stability assessments. However, the industry faces obstacles such as fragmented data formats, regulatory ambiguities, and a shortage of interdisciplinary talent. Through a combination of literature analysis and case studies, this research validates the “543 Framework”—comprising five layers (data acquisition, transmission, processing, application, and decision-making), four capabilities (collaborative perception, multimodal data processing, intelligent analysis, and precision services), and three application dimensions (resource exploration, engineering construction, and ecological monitoring)—as a viable model for driving innovation. The findings indicate that by strengthening policy guidance, advancing technological integration, and promoting industrial synergy, the geological exploration sector can transition from traditional resource assessment to diversified service provision, ultimately contributing to the cultivation of new productive forces.
The advantages of the geological exploration industry in the context of the low altitude economy are rooted in its technological foundations and market-driven demand. UAVs, remote sensing, and geophysical detection technologies have been widely adopted to improve efficiency in resource exploration and environmental monitoring. For example, UAV-based magnetic surveys can achieve accuracies of ≤0.1 nT, enabling precise mineral targeting. The demand for these technologies is fueled by global resource needs, urbanization, and disaster mitigation efforts. A comparative analysis of traditional methods versus low altitude economy technologies reveals substantial improvements: data acquisition times can be reduced by up to 80%, and project cycles shortened by 50%. This efficiency gain is quantified in Table 1, which summarizes the application effects across various domains. The formula for efficiency improvement can be expressed as: $$E = \frac{T_t – T_l}{T_t} \times 100\%$$ where \(E\) is the efficiency gain, \(T_t\) is the time taken by traditional methods, and \(T_l\) is the time taken by low altitude economy technologies. Additionally, policy support, such as national strategies and funding initiatives, has accelerated adoption, with penetration rates of low altitude economy technologies in geological exploration reaching 62% in recent surveys.
| Technology Type | Traditional Method Efficiency | Low Altitude Economy Technology Efficiency | Improvement Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geological Data Acquisition | 100 hours/region | 20 hours/region | 80% |
| Resource Exploration | 6 months/project | 3 months/project | 50% |
| Oil and Gas Exploration (Structure Identification) | 30 days/block | 7 days/block | 77% |
| Disaster Monitoring | Low real-time capability | Real-time monitoring | Significant improvement |
| Ecological Restoration Assessment | Low data accuracy | High-precision data | Significant improvement |
Despite these advantages, the geological exploration industry encounters several challenges in integrating with the low altitude economy. Technical fusion barriers, such as incompatible data formats and device interfaces, hinder seamless data integration. For instance, UAV remote sensing data often uses formats like JPEG, while geophysical data may adhere to SEG-Y standards, leading to integration complexities. The formula for data fusion efficiency can be represented as: $$F = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{C_i}{D_i}$$ where \(F\) is the fusion efficiency, \(C_i\) is the compatibility score, and \(D_i\) is the data complexity. Talent shortages also pose a significant challenge, as the industry requires professionals skilled in both geology and digital technologies. Regulatory issues, including ambiguous airspace management and data security risks, further complicate adoption. For example, UAV operations in restricted zones may face prolonged approval processes, increasing project timelines and costs. A case study of a failed UAV geophysical survey project highlights these issues: data synchronization problems between UAV and ground sensors resulted in a 25% error rate in 3D modeling, and regulatory delays reduced operational time to 40% of the planned schedule.
To address these challenges, this study proposes a breakthrough path centered on the “543 Framework”. First, technological integration is essential for building an “air-space-ground collaborative perception” system. This involves developing lightweight sensors, enhancing UAV endurance, and leveraging北斗 positioning for dynamic monitoring. The integration can be modeled as: $$I = \alpha \cdot U + \beta \cdot S + \gamma \cdot G$$ where \(I\) is the integration index, \(U\) represents UAV capabilities, \(S\) satellite inputs, and \(G\) ground data, with \(\alpha\), \(\beta\), and \(\gamma\) as weighting factors. Second, data-driven approaches establish a “multimodal data processing and intelligent analysis” platform. By creating standardized interfaces and employing AI algorithms, geological data can be fused and analyzed for predictive modeling. For instance, random forest algorithms have been used to train models for mineral distribution prediction, improving accuracy by 30%. Third, institutional and ecological synergy focuses on optimizing regulations, such as airspace reform and cross-department data collaboration. This includes implementing a “three-tier coordination mechanism” for airspace management and adopting blockchain for data security. Fourth, talent cultivation aims to build interdisciplinary teams through industry-academia partnerships and certification programs. These paths are interconnected, as illustrated in Table 2, which maps challenges to corresponding solutions.
| Challenge Area | Specific Challenge | Corresponding Breakthrough Path |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Fusion | Data format incompatibility; device interface issues | Technological Integration; Data-Driven Platforms |
| Talent Shortage | Lack of interdisciplinary talent; ineffective training | Talent Cultivation |
| Regulatory Issues | Complex airspace approval; vague data security rules | Institutional and Ecological Synergy |
| Technical Application Risks | UAV safety and data security risks | Institutional and Ecological Synergy |
The “543 Framework” theory demonstrates strong adaptability to the geological exploration industry but also has limitations. The five layers—data acquisition, transmission, processing, application, and decision-making—align with the industry’s need for comprehensive data workflows. The four capabilities, such as collaborative perception and intelligent analysis, support enhanced operational efficiency. However, technical integration difficulties and high costs may limit widespread adoption, particularly for smaller entities. Case studies validate the framework’s effectiveness; for example, in mineral exploration, UAV-based surveys reduced costs by 30% and improved data acquisition efficiency by 50%. The synergy between policy, technology, and industry is critical, as seen in initiatives that simplified airspace approvals and fostered data sharing.
Globally, countries like the United States, Australia, and Japan have advanced in integrating low altitude economy technologies into geological exploration. The U.S. emphasizes technological innovation and streamlined regulations, while Australia focuses on resource-driven applications. Japan excels in urban and environmental monitoring. Comparatively, China benefits from strong policy support and vast data resources but lags in core technology autonomy and talent development. Lessons from abroad suggest that China could adopt a “three-tier coordination mechanism” for airspace management and enhance产学研 collaboration to overcome these gaps.
In terms of value reconstruction and scenario innovation, the low altitude economy drives geological exploration toward new productive forces in five core areas: resource exploration, smart city applications, disaster prevention, ecological and cultural tourism integration, and data asset commercialization. For resource exploration, UAV-based geophysical surveys enable multidimensional detection, expanding into rare metal and deep-sea mineral markets. The growth in these markets is projected to increase from $5 billion to $30 billion for rare metals and from $3 billion to $20 billion for deep-sea minerals by 2030, as shown in Table 3. The formula for market growth can be expressed as: $$M_g = M_0 \cdot (1 + r)^t$$ where \(M_g\) is the market size at time \(t\), \(M_0\) is the initial market size, and \(r\) is the growth rate. In smart cities, low altitude technologies facilitate infrastructure lifecycle management, reducing project timelines by 12%. Disaster prevention benefits from multi-hazard coupling early warning systems, while ecological monitoring supports sustainable development through UAV-based assessments. Data commercialization involves developing tools and content products, such as geological visualization software, to unlock new revenue streams.
| Year | Rare Metal Exploration Market | Deep-Sea Mineral Exploration Market |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 50 | 30 |
| 2030 | 300 | 200 |
In conclusion, the low altitude economy presents a transformative opportunity for the geological exploration industry. By leveraging the “543 Framework” and addressing challenges through technological, institutional, and talent-focused strategies, the sector can achieve a shift from traditional resource assessment to innovative, service-oriented models. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of low altitude economy with deep-earth and marine exploration, establishing global standards, and fostering cross-border collaborations. This will not only enhance the industry’s competitiveness but also contribute to sustainable economic development through the cultivation of new productive forces.