Mining Digital June 2024 | Page 84

MACHINERY & AUTOMATION USES OF AI IN MINING
AI is disrupting the mining industry by transforming the way that daily operations are handled . These intelligent systems are capable of analysing large quantities of data and providing digital solutions for companies , with the technology helping to increase speed and safety in mining operations . Here are some uses of AI in mining .
ORE SORTING AI-based sorting systems can identify valuable minerals from waste rock in realtime and ultimately improve recovery rates and reduce processing costs as a result .
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS There are lots of benefits to AI being used to support decision making , including better worker safety , improvement of previously lengthy processes and cost reduction .
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES Autonomous vehicles make working conditions safer as they do not have to attempt to reach potentially dangerous areas of a site .
ROBOTICS Electric mining tools can often reach where human miners cannot . AI robotic platform provider Offworld announced last year that it is taking orders for its AI industrial swarm robotic mining systems built for surveying environments , both on the surface and underground , performing excavations , collecting , hauling and processing materials .
84 June 2024