WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY

The mining industry is increasingly embracing automation as a safety and productivity enabler and as a critical factor in creating a sustainable future of mining. For these reasons, automation is a key part of many mining companies’ digital transformation roadmaps alongside advances in artificial intelligence, system integration, remote operations and the Internet of Things.

While autonomous mining is innovating the mining industry, it also introduces new challenges, such as:

• New security and safety risks introduced by the reliance these systems have on technology to manage safety-critical functions
• Changes to the size and shape of the workforce, which may also have a social impact beyond the operation
• Adaptations to mine design and planning
• Potential changes to regulatory requirements
• Accommodating the rapid transformation of technology by building the system infrastructure, mine design and operational processes so that the operation can continuously adapt

CONSIDERATIONS

ABOUT THE WORKING GROUP

The Autonomous Mining Working Group is focused on assisting the industry with its ongoing digital transformation and helping operations achieve the benefits that autonomous systems can offer. The group is built by subject-matter experts, leaders from inside and outside the industry, suppliers, operators and those interested in implementing autonomous systems in mining.

Objectives

• Improve safety and productivity in the mining industry by identifying and offering guidance on key challenges and documenting good practices for autonomous mining
• Enable a global network of multidisciplinary and multi-sectorial professionals in fields related to autonomous mining to share lessons learned and best practices and drive valuable conversations
• Set a common vision among diverse stakeholders for autonomous systems and facilitate innovation and digital transformation in mining

ACTIVE PROJECTS