The mining industry has long been considered a traditional, rugged, and risk-heavy environment—but over the past decade, it has rapidly evolved into a technology-driven field, thanks to the integration of automation, control systems, and robotics.

With PLCs handling real-time machinery operations and SCADA systems enabling centralized control and visualization, mines are now safer, more productive, and increasingly autonomous.

Key Developments We’re Seeing:
• Automated drilling and hauling systems that reduce operator fatigue and improve cycle efficiency
• Real-time process control of crushing, grinding, and dewatering units via PLC-SCADA networks
• Remote operations centers managing equipment from hundreds of miles away
• AI-based control logic integrating live data for predictive response to load, pressure, and terrain variability
• Robotic inspections of hazardous or hard-to-access areas, minimizing human exposure

The Role of Integration
The real impact comes from how these technologies work together:
• SCADA provides real-time dashboards based on the design of GUI and alarms
• PLCs execute deterministic control at the edge
• Sensors, actuators, and VFDs close the loop between physical operations and digital decision-making

Mine companies are heavily deploying edge computing devices and IIoT gateways locally to process data and reduce SCADA-server loads—especially useful in remote mines with limited connectivity.

I’d love to hear from others in the AAC community:
• Are you working on automation in harsh industrial environments?
• Which PLC platforms (Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider, etc.) are proving reliable in extreme conditions?
• Have you integrated robotics with control systems in your projects?

Let’s share real-world examples and lessons learned from the field.

 

I see no responses to this very interesting post. But I have only a limited amount of understanding about mining hardware and systems, which is from technical articles in trade publications, and in the regulations concerning the various combustible atmosphere electrical system requirements.

 

I am not supprised automation & AI are becoming common in mining as with many occupations that are mind-numbing repetative or under miserable conditions.
My occupation experience included servo's and CNC contol & design , but mainly in clean environments.

 

At this point, do you have a question or are you making a point?

 

I thought that I sent a post relative to the lack of responses. Evidently not.
The fact is that underground mining operation involves a large amount of possible hazards. The result is that most of the systems and hardware must be 100% reliable, since much of the systems are "Life Critical", similar to a parachute for skydiving. . So I am reluctant to provide advice that, if it was incorrect, or misunderstood, or incorrectly applied, could lead to a loss of life, or serious injury. That leads me to be reluctant to participate. IT CERTAINLY would be interesting, but.....

 

I suspect the TS may have been exploring a new to them industry. A friend recently posted a picture of his coal blackened face from the 70’s, but my experience with underground (potash) and strip (tar sands and brown coals) mining is that they adopted emerging technologies quicker than many.