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4: Robotics

Automation is continually increasing with the introduction of more electric mining tools that can sometimes reach where miners cannot. AI powered robotic platform maker Offworld announced in January 2023 that it is taking orders to deploy its AI industrial swarm robotic mining systems commencing in 2024.

The line of autonomous robots is built for surveying environments, both on the surface and underground, performing excavations, collecting, hauling and processing materials. Its battery units extend the operational run time of each robot by performing autonomous in-situ battery swapping and charging.

AI-based sorting systems can identify valuable minerals from waste rock in real-time and ultimately improve recovery rates and reduce processing costs as a result.

Leading global mining company Vale launched its first AI centre in 2020 in Esprito Santo. With a commitment to sustainability and safety, the company uses the technology to analyse ore samples and make decisions on the best sorting methods to maximise mineral recovery, which has led to the improvement of environmental, health and safety on site.

There are lots of benefits to AI being used to support decision making, including better worker safety, improvement of previously lengthy processes and cost reduction. In particular, mining company Anglo American has been consistently exploring AI applications in its mining operations in its efforts to be more sustainable and produce less waste.

The company has developed AI solutions for mineral exploration and resources estimation and helps workers identify potential mining sites more efficiently. AI tools allow the company to make the best decision possible whilst ensuring all of the above key factors.

Autonomous vehicles can make working conditions safer in mining as they do not have to attempt to reach potentially dangerous areas of a site. Komatsu in particular ranks high in the mining industry in regard to automated vehicles as its approach to smart mining aims to maximise operations but with the utmost safety.

The company uses electric drive mining trucks for both construction and mining operations, boasting a broad range of 30 to 400 tonne capacity trucks to help its customers meet their productivity targets, ultimately pushing innovation in suspension, transmission, and autonomous operation.

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Top 10 uses of artificial intelligence in mining - Mining Digital