Technology is transforming transport in surface mining primarily through automation, electrification, digitalization, and artificial intelligence (AI), resulting in greater efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
As a matter of facts, autonomous or self-driving surface mining trucks usually used in open-pit mines to move ore and waste rock. It utilises technologies such as GPS, radar and AI to operate without human drivers. They can be remotely controlled or managed by a central system that predetermines speeds, routes, and ore or mineral collections. Autonomous trucks also have an efficiency advantage over more traditional forms of transport, being able to operate continuously day and night, increasing productivity and reducing downtime. There are also savings around fuel consumption(Surface Mining, 2025).
Additionally, as the mining industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize, electrification is moving from aspiration to application. Battery electric and hybrid equipment such as haul trucks are being deployed to reduce diesel consumption, lower emissions, and meet ESG targets(“Breaking New Ground,” n.d.).
What’s the biggest game-changer you’ve seen (or anticipate) in mining transport efficiency thanks to innovation? Share your insights!
Reference:
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Breaking new ground: How technology is redefining surface mining. (n.d.). Canadian Mining Journal. Retrieved July 24, 2025, from https://www.canadianminingjournal.com/featured-article/breaking-new-ground-how-technology-is-redefining-surface-mining/
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Surface mining: Assessing global equipment trends – Mine | Issue 154 | July 2025. (2025, July 8). https://mine.nridigital.com/mine_jul25/surface-mining-equipment-2025
