1.

INTRODUCTION accountability and better understand consisting of robotic hardware and

the return on investment. software technologies that convert

Automation plays an important role in the
vehicles or equipment into autonomous
mine environment. For the majority of
2.2 Mining Automation Equipment mining units. The automation of mine
those in the mining industry, automation is
In response to concerns about how to equipment comes in four different
a much larger concept than regulatory
improve productivity and safety at the forms: remote control, teleoperation,
systems, supervision and instrumentation.
driver assistance, and complete
As automation in the mining world
automation. (Horberry T, 2004)
evolves, there are trends that likely will
2.3 Advantages
help shape its future.
The benefits of mining equipment
2. DEVELOPMENT
automation technologies are varied,
2.1 Mining Automation Software
but may include: improved safety,
To gain greater control over their
better fuel efficiency, productivity
operations, mining companies can
increase, unscheduled maintenance
implement software or mining
reduction, better working conditions,
automation processes. Reports
better use of the vehicle and less
generated by mine automation
mine, some mining companies are fatigue and wear of the driver.
software allow managers to identify
turning to automation equipment 2.4 Disadvantages
bottlenecks in productivity, increase
Critics of vehicle automation often

focus on the potential of robotic

technology to eliminate jobs while

those proponents against that while

some jobs become obsolete (normally

dirty, dangerous or monotonous jobs),

others will be created.