New trends for mechanization, automation and robotics in mining

Mining, as one of mankind’s oldest undertakings and the first organized industry at all, is a very well established market with many opportunities for new technologies first of all mechanization and automation. Raw materials are elemental for almost every modern industry and technological developments and new processes have over the decades enabled broad availability of raw materials at acceptable prices. At the same time, due to novel processes and mechanization, the safety of the personnel working in the mining sectors has increased greatly and higher levels of sustainability and environmental friendliness were achieved. Mining, unlike other industries, is however dependent on finite resources. Consequently, the basic conditions for mining are constantly becoming more difficult. Many untouched deposits are located in greater depths, which means they can only be mined economically with higher raw material prices or when higher productivity levels are achieved. Moreover, aging workforce and skill shortage requires optimal usage of resources.