Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/122153
miningspecial number-one priority and we are aiming for zero harm to everyone with whom we engage. In addition, miners want to increase production as much as possible, and having people on the surface as opposed to underground allows significant increases in productivity. For example, transit times between the surface and underground operation are quite significant. If you don't have to take people underground, you can start the equipment operating sooner. Also, when you blast underground, you have to wait for an hour before people can get down to the area. Automating mining equipment overcomes a lot of those issues, because equipment can be operated around the clock, controlled by operators who are on the surface. Many developments in automation have focused on hard rock underground mining. We have a system called AutoMine that's been developed for this application. AutoMine has already been used in a number of mines in Australia, including two in NSW, and Rio Tinto has just announced it will be deploying AutoMine in its Argyle Diamond operation in the Pilbara in WA. 64 "Safety is the cornerstone of our business, and I think it will be a big differentiator in the future." What about automation in coalmining? Automation in the coal industry is also proceeding. In surface coal mining we are about to release AutoMine Drilling, which has an autonomous drill rig with pre-programmed drill holes, angles and depths. The drill trams (travels) to the required area autonomously, drills the hole, pulls up, and then trams to the next hole until the required drill pattern is complete. Once it's programmed, that happens without any human intervention in an area that is completely sealed off from other equipment and people. Are autonomous drill rigs different to automated underground equipment? An automated machine can do many tasks by itself but requires some human input; for example, in loading operations, where it needs to be Previous page and above: The team at Sandvik manufactures a wide range of products for underground and surface mining; one of Sandvik's mining drills.