The benefits of mining equipment automation technologies are varied, but can include: improved safety, improved fuel efficiency, increased productivity, reduced unscheduled maintenance, improved working conditions, improved vehicle utilization, and reduced driver fatigue and burnout. Automation technologies are an effective way to mitigate the effects of widespread labor shortages for positions such as transportation truck driver. With commodity prices falling, many mining companies are looking for ways to dramatically reduce overall costs while maintaining site safety and integrity; Automation may be the answer.

Critics of vehicle automation often focus on the potential for robotic technology to eliminate jobs, while proponents counter that, as some jobs become obsolete (typically dirty, dangerous or monotonous jobs), others will be created. Communities supporting disadvantaged workers who rely on entry-level mining jobs are concerned and calling for social responsibility as mining companies shift to automation technologies that promise to increase productivity in the face of falling commodity prices. Risk-averse mining companies are also reluctant to commit large amounts of capital to an unproven technology, preferring instead to enter the automation scene at lower and cheaper levels such as remote control.

Future mine

Rio Tinto Group embarked on its Mine of the Future initiative in 2008. From a control center in Perth, Rio Tinto employees operate autonomous mining equipment in the remote but wealthy Pilbara region of Australia. Autonomous mining vehicles reduce the mining giant's footprint while improving vehicle productivity and utilization. As of June 2014, Rio Tinto's autonomous mining fleet reached the milestone of 200 million tonnes transported. Rio Tinto also operates a number of autonomous well drilling rigs.[2]​.

Bingham Canyon Mine

Located near Salt Lake City, Utah, the Bingham Canyon Mine (Kennecott Utah Copper/Rio Tinto) is one of the largest open pit mines in the world and one of the largest producers of copper in the world. In April 2013, the mine experienced a catastrophic slide that halted most of the mine's operations. As part of cleanup efforts and to improve safety, mine managers turned to remote-controlled excavators, bulldozers and drills to perform work in the highly unstable ground areas. Robotic technology helped Kennecott reduce the steepest, most dangerous areas of the slide to allow access for manned vehicles for cleanup efforts.

Automation of underground works in China

German company «EEP Elektro-Elektronik Pranjic» delivered and put into operation more than 60 sets of advanced automatic control for underground coal mining for the period ~ 2006-2016. For the first time completely deserted coal mining has been used by the Chinese concern "China National Coal Group Corp. (CME)" in the "Tang Shan Gou" mine (long reach mining, shears, three lavas, depth 200 m), and in the "Nan Liang" mine (one plow, depth 100 m). Both coal mines have a coal seam thickness of 1-1.7 m. Collection monitoring is carried out using video cameras (in real time with signal transmission over fiber optics). Typically, underground personnel are required to supervise the production process and to carry out repairs. Automation has improved safety and economic performance.[3]​.

Next generation mining

BHP has deployed a series of autonomous mining equipment as part of its Next Generation Mining programme. This includes autonomous exercises[4]​ and autonomous trucks[5]​ in the Pilbara region.

Some of the technologies[6]​ that we find in a digital mine are:

The benefits of mining equipment automation technologies are varied, but can include: improved safety, improved fuel efficiency, increased productivity, reduced unscheduled maintenance, improved working conditions, improved vehicle utilization, and reduced driver fatigue and burnout. Automation technologies are an effective way to mitigate the effects of widespread labor shortages for positions such as transportation truck driver. With commodity prices falling, many mining companies are looking for ways to dramatically reduce overall costs while maintaining site safety and integrity; Automation may be the answer.

Critics of vehicle automation often focus on the potential for robotic technology to eliminate jobs, while proponents counter that, as some jobs become obsolete (typically dirty, dangerous or monotonous jobs), others will be created. Communities supporting disadvantaged workers who rely on entry-level mining jobs are concerned and calling for social responsibility as mining companies shift to automation technologies that promise to increase productivity in the face of falling commodity prices. Risk-averse mining companies are also reluctant to commit large amounts of capital to an unproven technology, preferring instead to enter the automation scene at lower and cheaper levels such as remote control.

Future mine

Rio Tinto Group embarked on its Mine of the Future initiative in 2008. From a control center in Perth, Rio Tinto employees operate autonomous mining equipment in the remote but wealthy Pilbara region of Australia. Autonomous mining vehicles reduce the mining giant's footprint while improving vehicle productivity and utilization. As of June 2014, Rio Tinto's autonomous mining fleet reached the milestone of 200 million tonnes transported. Rio Tinto also operates a number of autonomous well drilling rigs.[2]​.

Bingham Canyon Mine

Located near Salt Lake City, Utah, the Bingham Canyon Mine (Kennecott Utah Copper/Rio Tinto) is one of the largest open pit mines in the world and one of the largest producers of copper in the world. In April 2013, the mine experienced a catastrophic slide that halted most of the mine's operations. As part of cleanup efforts and to improve safety, mine managers turned to remote-controlled excavators, bulldozers and drills to perform work in the highly unstable ground areas. Robotic technology helped Kennecott reduce the steepest, most dangerous areas of the slide to allow access for manned vehicles for cleanup efforts.

Automation of underground works in China

German company «EEP Elektro-Elektronik Pranjic» delivered and put into operation more than 60 sets of advanced automatic control for underground coal mining for the period ~ 2006-2016. For the first time completely deserted coal mining has been used by the Chinese concern "China National Coal Group Corp. (CME)" in the "Tang Shan Gou" mine (long reach mining, shears, three lavas, depth 200 m), and in the "Nan Liang" mine (one plow, depth 100 m). Both coal mines have a coal seam thickness of 1-1.7 m. Collection monitoring is carried out using video cameras (in real time with signal transmission over fiber optics). Typically, underground personnel are required to supervise the production process and to carry out repairs. Automation has improved safety and economic performance.[3]​.

Next generation mining

BHP has deployed a series of autonomous mining equipment as part of its Next Generation Mining programme. This includes autonomous exercises[4]​ and autonomous trucks[5]​ in the Pilbara region.

Some of the technologies[6]​ that we find in a digital mine are: