Remote systems have become a key component of modern underground production drilling. Remote drilling enables people to control drilling machines remotely through telecommunication networks, while autonomous drilling is carried out with the help of onboard sensing devices that carry out tasks without any human interference (Long et al., 2024). The purpose of these two approaches is similar – increasing efficiency and improving safety of drilling operations.
The use of these techniques requires a certain level of technical infrastructure to be in place. One of the most important prerequisites for remote drilling is high-performance and high bandwidth communication network, such as a WLAN (Paiva et al., 2017). Without it, remote operations cannot communicate telemetry in real time, while autonomous units lack mission-critical information.
Moreover, autonomous drilling entails advanced integration of hardware and software systems. The rigs need to have precise localization systems such as LiDAR due to GPS-denial characteristics of the underground mines (Kokkinis et al., 2024). With respect to software systems, intelligent architectures are important for multi-equipment coordination, optimization of penetration rates, and automation of rod handling through non-centralized human control (Long et al., 2024).
However, environmental factors limit the use of autonomous systems. Underground mines are characterized by constrained spaces, dust, vibrations, and moisture, all of which negatively impact the performance of electronics and wireless networks (Long et al., 2024). Also, uncertain geology is known to clog the drill bits of the autonomous machines; hence, human intervention becomes necessary.
The financial and logistical challenges also act as an obstacle. The amount of money needed for installing advanced technological equipment in the old mining complexes and creating a control room is immense (Paiva et al., 2017). In addition, the shift towards an automated system shows that there is a major shortage of skills, and employees need to be taught how to use such equipment properly (Long et al., 2024).
To conclude, the remote and autonomous drilling systems symbolize the future of underground mining, but it is limited by many requirements and tough conditions. It is necessary to have constant improvements in the field of sensors’ durability and reliability of networks (Kokkinis et al., 2024).
References
Kokkinis, A., Frantzis, T., Skordis, K., Nikolakopoulos, G., & Koustoumpardis, P. (2024). Review of automated operations in drilling and mining. Machines, 12(12), 845. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12120845
Long, M., Schafrik, S., Kolapo, P., Agioutantis, Z., & Sottile, J. (2024). Equipment and operations automation in mining: A review. Machines, 12(10), 713. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12100713
Paiva, G., Agra, R., & Tomi, G. d. (2017). Application challenges for information and automation technologies in an underground mine in Brazil. REM – International Engineering Journal, 70(1), 93–97. https://doi.org/10.1590/0370-44672015700117
