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Jacob Burton
Per. 1
Automation: The Future of Mining
In recent years, automotive technologies have begun to emerge and become
incorporated into the workforce. With this technology has come great benefits and
problems. Some of these benefits include higher production rates, increased
efficacy, and safety while the problems include worker replacement and reduced
adaptability (Smith). These points have caused much debate over the decision of
whether different industries, such as mining, should increase the integration of
automated systems. The answer to this is clear: Increasing the use of automated
systems in mining would be greatly beneficial.
Before discussing the benefits of automated systems in mining, it would be
wise to know the definition of automation. According to Lynas and Horberry,
Automation is broadly defined as the intelligent management of a system using
appropriate technology so that its operation can occur without direct human
involvement. The most commonly known form of automation is a factory assembly
line that uses robotic arms to assemble products. This is just one form of
automation. Altogether, there are three different forms, or levels, of automation.
These levels of automation include, according to Lynas and Horberry:

Lower level automation [,] which includes warning systems such as

proximity detection systems, and technologies that signal maintenance of
equipment. In this category the operator is in full control of the system at

all times and the technology provides a warning or assistance;

Mid level automation which may involve removing operator control at
certain times but not others, or having the operator control the equipment

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from a nearby location. Examples include [] collision detection
technologies that automatically stop equipment when a collision is

detected as imminent.
Full automation which involves the operator being located remotely from
the equipment and using a computer screen, joysticks, and other controls
and displays.

Now that we have a basic understanding on what automated systems are,

lets focus on the benefits that automated systems bring to miners. Every day,
miners face a plethora of hazards that are due to the situation of their work.
According to Mining IQ, some of the biggest dangers that miners face are vehicle
collisions/crushing, and chemical leakage. The biggest hazard out of these two is
vehicle collision, which makes up of forty percent of all mining related deaths within
the United States (MSHA). With the advent of automation, however, the threat of
each of these hazards can be reduced to promote worker safety.
To address the problem of machinery crushing and colliding with other
objects, collision avoidance systems have been created and installed into large
mining vehicles. The way these systems work is that each vehicle that operates
above ground is monitored through [an] on-board GPS and two-way
communication hardware (Burns). This allows for a central control system to track
each vehicles position, speed, and direction. The central control system relays this
information to workers who plot and plan routes for each vehicle in order to control
traffic, similarly to the way air traffic controllers safely guide planes. These routes
are then either wirelessly programed into driverless vehicles or transmitted to
drivers on a display screen (Burns). Along with this, each vehicle will have a failsafe
built in that will stop the vehicle if the GPS system detects that it is too close to

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another vehicle (Burns). In order to preserve the safety of other objects that cannot
be detected by the GPS system and better protect the vehicle, a tracking radar is
used (SAFEmine). This radar searches the surrounding area for people, small
equipment, rough terrain, boulders, and other obstacles that may be too difficult to
notice from up in the cockpit. With these systems in place, many injuries, collisions,
and deaths could be avoided within the mining workplace.
In order to address the other hazards that miners face, tele-operation
systems can be used (Lynas and Horberry). Tele-operation [is] a system with
artificial sensors and actuators that allow a human to communicate with it and
control it from a distance, (Lynas and Horberry) which allows for operators to
control vehicles in a safe and controlled environment. These systems proved very
helpful in the recovery process that took place at the copper mine located in
Bingham Canyon after a large landslide. During this incident, many of the roads that
led down to the bottom of the pit were covered by 147 million tons of material
(Carter), along with most of the pit itself. In order to successfully restore the mine,
heavy equipment had to be transported to certain strategic points, but many of
these areas were considered too dangerous to reach by conventional means. In
order to avoid compromising worker safety and still efficiently restore the mine,
automated vehicles were used to allow workers to drive vehicles remotely through
dangerous areas (Carter).
Another situation that tele-operation systems can improve safety in is
chemical leakage. When chemicals are spilled, toxic fumes are released which then
spread and can build up to dangerous levels. Toxic fumes are especially dangerous
in mines, since they cannot dissipate as easily in the confined areas of the mines.
Certain chemicals also have the potential to catch fire or explode and further

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endanger miners. (Mining IQ). By using automated systems, less workers would be
in immediate danger from accidents involving dangerous chemicals, since they
would be located further away from the work zone. Along with this, initial clean-up
efforts could be taken with the use of machines that are remotely operated so as to
reduce the danger as much as possible before final cleaning efforts by humans take
place.
Benefits in changing the work environment by locating vehicle operators
outside of their vehicle can be seen in another example. By working outside of the
cab of the vehicle, drivers can avoid injuries sustained from bouncing around. One
of the most common injuries from this is to the head. According to the research
conducted by Trudel et al., four out of nine injuries sustained by workers using
trucks were caused by hitting their head against the cabin of the vehicle while going
over rough terrain. Back and neck injuries are also quite common. According to a
vehicle operator, using large vehicles caused severe back and neck pain from the
strain of bouncing around. Getting in and out of the cab can also lead to injuries.
Because the vehicles used in mining are so large, about 20 feet tall (Diesel Power
Staff), slipping and falling while entering or leaving the cab can lead to serious
injuries, such as broken bones, twisted ligaments, and possibly death.
While tele-operation systems are very useful in increasing the safety of
workers by removing them from hazardous work environments, it does create a
problem: operators who control vehicles remotely are less aware of their
surroundings and are more likely to be distracted (Lynas and Horberry). The reason
why drivers are less aware can be identified in multiple reasons. One reason is that
it is more likely to be distracted by a co-worker if personnel are located in a control
building, rather than in their own vehicle. With these distractions, safety and

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efficiency could be compromised. In order to address this problem, each room could
be separated from one another. By doing this, interaction between workers would
be reduced.
Another reason why remotely controlling vehicles can cause a loss of awareness
is that operators are more likely to become drowsy. By being put in a room that is
environmentally controlled, workers may become too comfortable, which could then
induce drowsiness (Lynas and Horberry). By being in offices, drivers will also no
longer be bouncing around in the cab of their vehicle, due to the rough terrain, or
be exposed to the loud sounds found within the mining work zone. This lack of a
changing environment could also contribute to the likeliness of a driver becoming
drowsy. In order to compensate for an increased likelihood of drowsiness, workers
could work for shorter shifts. By doing this, workers would be less likely to lose
awareness.
Besides safety, the use of automated systems also brings economical benefits.
One of the ways that it does this is by increasing efficacy. Because expenses for
running a mine each day costs millions of dollars (Carter), it is extremely important
for mining companies to be as efficient as possible in order to compensate for these
losses. The way automation helps to increase efficacy is by allowing workers to
quickly and easily switch when a new shift starts. Instead of having to wait for
vehicle operators to make their way to the surface and dismount from their vehicle
after the completion of a shift, workers can simply switch places in the control room
(Viewpoint). This can save multiple minutes worth of time and decrease fuel
consumption from idling time and driving back to the surface.

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A different advantage to using automated systems is that companies can
save money on each vehicle because they can better control variables that affect
the efficacy of each vehicle. With the drivers not located within the vehicle,
variables such as user weight do not have to be accounted for, but instead remain
constant. This helps to determine the best way to make each vehicle to run at
maximum efficiency. Another variable that can be controlled is speed. Each vehicle
can be programed to run at specific speeds at different times in order to best
preserve fuel and provide efficient work (Trudel et al.). By controlling speed and
what path vehicles follow, companies can better control the flow of traffic. This can
help to prevent traffic jams and keep each vehicle constantly moving. By better
managing the flow of traffic, collisions that cost companies millions of dollars can be
prevented. Because one large truck is worth around one million dollars (Trudel et
al.), preventing damage to these vehicles is very important in order to avoid
significant losses to revenue.
Another economical benefit from using automated systems is the creation of
higher paying jobs. With traditional mining vehicles, only two main jobs are created:
driving and maintenance. With automated vehicles, however, more jobs are
introduced. These jobs include programing and collision avoidance operators. Not
only do automated systems create more jobs, but they also require more skilled
workers. Why is that beneficial? Jobs that require a higher skill level tend to have
larger salaries. While the average miner earns approximately $42,500 each year,
programmers are given $57,376 and collision avoidance operators earn $85,470
each year (Pay Scale). Along with creating new higher paying jobs, automated
systems increase wages to certain existing jobs. One of these jobs would be
maintenance engineering. With the newly incorporated automated systems,

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maintenance workers would require more experience and knowledge in electrical
systems in order to successfully repair automated mining equipment. By creating
new and higher paying jobs, workers are given greater opportunities to progress in
the workforce.
One concern that many people have about using automated systems in the
workforce is that automated systems will destroy jobs. This is not entirely true. Most
jobs, such as operating vehicles, will still be around after introducing automated
systems into the mining industry. Human drivers are needed to provide assistance
to automated vehicles in unexpected situations, or in situations where it is
impossible to program a computer to accomplish. These situations include severe
weather conditions and unexpected roadblocks from rockslides or avalanches.
Human operators are also necessary to provide a failsafe in the event of a
malfunction. If a vehicle begins to go off course or an automated system that is
onboard fails, vehicle operators can easily switch over to manual control and safely
guide the vehicle. By having human workers in conjunction with automated
systems, maximum efficiency and safety can be achieved (Lynas and Horberry).
By incorporating automated systems into the mining industry, greater
efficacies and cost savings can be realized while improving safety and productivity.
Automation can improve in keeping the trucks moving by orchestrating the flow of
traffic and reducing idling time and the associated fuel costs. Safety can also
improve by avoiding collisions and the associated injuries, downtime, and repair
costs. Workers, too, can benefit in the creation of newer and higher paying jobs.
Work related injuries and deaths can reach an all-time low while productivity
continues to increase. The many benefits of automation make automation a must in
the modern mining industry.

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