Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mining

Autonomous systems in mining and agriculture vehicles

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Heavy-duty autonomy in controlled, off-road environments delivers efficiency and safety gains

Autonomous vehicles are still most commonly associated with passenger cars and urban roads. Yet the most mature, commercially proven forms of vehicle autonomy have emerged far from city streets.

They operate in open-pit mines, on remote haul roads, and across agricultural fields – environments where routes are known, traffic is controlled, and the economics of automation are clear.

Mining and agriculture have quietly become the longest-running success stories in vehicle autonomy. These sectors demonstrate what autonomy looks like when expectations are pragmatic, deployment is incremental, and safety and productivity are the primary objectives. [Read more…] about Autonomous systems in mining and agriculture vehicles

ABB expands dam electrification and automation at Boliden’s Aitik copper mine

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ABB has expanded the electrification and automation infrastructure at Boliden’s Aitik mine, enabling safe and efficient growth of one of Europe’s most important tailings facilities.

The upgrade strengthens water storage, recycling and monitoring capabilities, enabling Sweden’s largest open-pit copper mine to safely scale operations amid increased global demand for copper production.

According to the International Energy Agency, global refined copper demand is projected to grow by around 22 percent by 2035 under the Stated Policies Scenario. [Read more…] about ABB expands dam electrification and automation at Boliden’s Aitik copper mine

ABB launches refreshed vision for the all-electric mine

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ABB has unveiled its refreshed vision for the “all-electric mine”, with the second edition of its whitepaper titled, Building the all-electric mine: Starting small, thinking big.

Published four years after the launch of the first edition, ABB’s updated paper builds on the company’s decades-long legacy in industrial electrification.

Mining contributes up to 7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, however, statistics from ABB’s Mining’s Moment report released just a year ago in October 2024, revealed that 30 percent of industry leaders are behind on their 2030 decarbonization goals. [Read more…] about ABB launches refreshed vision for the all-electric mine

Australian Droid + Robot unveils docking station to extend Explora XL robot autonomy for mining applications

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Australian Droid + Robot (ADR) has introduced a new Docking Station designed to extend the autonomy of its Explora XL robot, enabling underground mines to capture data without halting production or sending workers into hazardous environments.

The company says the ruggedised Docking Station allows robots to remain permanently underground, providing automated charging, integrated sensor cleaning, and secure data transfer.

In a statement, the company says: “For decades, essential underground tasks like surveying, inspection and gas sensing have required costly production shutdowns and exposed personnel to hazardous environments. [Read more…] about Australian Droid + Robot unveils docking station to extend Explora XL robot autonomy for mining applications

ABB to implement gearless mill drive service program at Codelco copper mines in Chile

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ABB and Codelco are revealing details about their latest collaboration to optimize the Chilean state-owned copper mining company’s maintenance program.

With Chile currently the world’s largest copper producer, this latest long-term service agreement (LTSA) encompasses maintenance, remote diagnostics and skills training to enhance the performance of its gearless mill drive (GMD) systems.

Integrated into ABB’s advanced cloud-based platform, GMD Connect, this will support a combined copper production of around 400,000 metric tons per annum. [Read more…] about ABB to implement gearless mill drive service program at Codelco copper mines in Chile

Exclusive interview with Nokia: The rise of automation and robotics in mining transportation

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Once famous for its iconic mobile phones, Nokia has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades.

Now a global leader in network infrastructure, the Finnish company provides critical connectivity solutions that power everything from 5G communications to industrial automation.

At the forefront of this evolution is David de Lancellotti, vice president of CNS enterprise campus edge sales at Nokia, who plays a key role in enabling digital transformation across industries – especially those traditionally seen as slow to innovate. [Read more…] about Exclusive interview with Nokia: The rise of automation and robotics in mining transportation

ABB demonstrates robot charging solution for mining trucks

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ABB is currently at MINExpo 2024 to showcase a new technology demonstrator developed to enable safe and efficient, high-power charging in the journey towards the all-electric mine of the future.

eMine Robot Automated Connection Device (ACD) is designed to work in tandem with the ABB eMine FastCharge solution, allowing further interoperability and synergy of connections and interfaces in electric mining trucks.

As a founding member of the CharIN taskforce for electrical standards in mining, ABB is working to accelerate the adoption of electrical interface soluti

[Read more…] about ABB demonstrates robot charging solution for mining trucks

Komatsu and ABB collaborate through open electrification platform

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Komatsu and ABB have signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement to jointly develop and bring to market integrated solutions that will help move net zero emissions for heavy industrial machinery a step closer to reality.

The two global leaders will leverage industry expertise and equipment in a bid to create world-class interoperability, ranging from renewable energy generation to fully electrified mining equipment, for customers. through an open platform.

Multinational company Komatsu is known as one of the world’s largest providers of construction and mining machinery and will now link up with global leader ABB for its expertise and technologies for automation and electrification. [Read more…] about Komatsu and ABB collaborate through open electrification platform

Stratom to showcase autonomous mining systems at industry event

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Stratom is showcasing how its autonomous cargo and material movement, autonomous mobile robots and robotic refueling solutions are set to fill critical gaps in mining operations at booth #1551 at the ongoing MINEXCHANGE 2024 SME Annual Conference & Expo, in Phoenix.

While the mining industry has recently increased its implementation of large autonomous mining systems like haul trucks and drill rigs, many small yet vital tasks remain unaddressed due to various complexities.

MINEXCHANGE visitors can explore how Stratom leverages autonomy and robotics to tackle these overlooked processes, enhancing safety and productivity in the face of a growing labor shortage and increasingly demanding mine environments. [Read more…] about Stratom to showcase autonomous mining systems at industry event

ABB completes testing of robotic system for inserting charges in boreholes in mines

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ABB says it has “successfully completed” testing of the industry-first automated robot charging technology for underground mines in partnership with mine operators Boliden and LKAB.

The goal is to make mines safer by automating one of few manual processes left in mining: charging the blasting holes with explosives.

Blasting schedules in underground mines can vary, but the process takes place up to 15 times per day in larger mines as miners expand the chambers to extract mineral and metal ores. [Read more…] about ABB completes testing of robotic system for inserting charges in boreholes in mines