Much like urban planning , a mining site requires intelligent movement of workers , equipment , and excavated materials to maximize efficiency while cutting down on waste . Until now , that endeavor usually resembled a cobbledtogether series of systems and several individuals at the controls of each . Full site automation is closer than ever before , incorporating other innovations mentioned above , such as heavy rail transport and tunnel boring . When algorithms can be immediately implemented across all aspects of a job site , costs are driven down to levels that maximize profitable enterprise without sacrificing worker comfort or safety - and that ’ s potentially the best mining innovation in the industry in 2017 and beyond .

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