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As the world ’ s largest automated tunnel boring machine , Bertha is 326 feet long and 57.5 feet wide , weighing over 7,000 tons

The concept of automated tunnel borers isn ’ t new . Since 2012 , Rio Tinto has been working with the Centre of Excellence in Mining Innovation ( cemi ) to build shafts and tunnels at a faster rate as part of Rio ’ s Mine of the Future initiative . Together , the two have designed a new tunnel boring system that is currently being implemented at Rio ’ s Northparkes Mine in Australia .

The future of autonomous boring is anticipated to be seen regularly in coming years .

In addition to eco-friendlier ways , the mining industry is pushing for newer and more improved methods for ore processing . One new process , which has the potential to be maximized across the mining sector , is

38 November 2014