Enabling the impossible, one robot at a time

While drones are already readily in use on mine sites for surveying, inspecting inaccessible areas of a mine and photogrammetry, the use of automated and piloted technology will only continue to expand in the future. Rapid technological advancements, expanding mining environments and a shortage of skilled engineers will drive technology into new areas; such as mine design, mine operations and mine closure – leading to the next evolution of geotechnical engineering.

For a glimpse at the near future, Friction sat down with Australian Droid and Robot’s Mat Allan to hear his predictions for the immediate future for the geotechnical industry and how technology is changing the face of mining.

An Explora robot with a CSIRO Catpack completing a 3D survey of an underground excavation. Image supplied by ADR.

Australian Droid and Robot (ADR) Co-founder and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Mat Allan said he believes the future of mining will rely heavily on robots as technology steps in to address the challenges faced by the industry.

“Within five to ten years’ time, robots will be used extensively to autonomously capture routine data at mine sites,” Mat said.

“The data will then be analysed by skilled geotechnical engineers using state of the art tools to make informed decisions on actions required to minimise risk and maximise value for the mining operation, including excavation stability and safety considerations.”

Mat said he expects tier one mining firms will used droids and robots to a lesser degree than tier two and three firms.

“Tier two and three miners will likely drive demand for robotic data capture as a service, as they will be looking to use more of a subscription model, whereas the Tier one firms will have more in-house data capture and analysis resources.”

Another trend Mat predicted was technology will be developed in greater collaboration with mining companies.

“With ongoing skills shortage challenges facing the industry, we will, and are seeing, the rise of Technical Services as a service, along with associated software as a service products. To fuel these tools and remote analysis, robotics provides a means to complete mine data capture as a service. All of these products are being built to meet the current and future needs of the mining market ,” he said.

“Clients come to us with a problem they can’t solve, they are looking to find impossible data. Through our robots, we help them unlock it.”

Mat said the increased use of robots for data capture will free geotechnical professionals’ time, enabling them to focus on other parts of their role that cannot be automated.

“The benefits to the industry are numerous. When you have access to great data, obviously mining productivity can be maximised, but improved safety is another large tangible benefit.

“We know that existing mines are more cost effective to continue mining than commencing new operations at greenfield sites and this calls for excavation at even deeper levels than previously thought possible.

“Deep domain expertise requires people highly skilled in geotechnical engineering.

“To do this safely, autonomous robots will be increasingly used to 3D map the mine shafts, detect hazards, including gases and capture data.”

An example of 3D Lidar mapping of an underground excavation at CMOC Northparkes Mine. Image supplied by ADR.

ADR has engineered one of these robotic solutions, with their Explora robot able to be sent deep into existing mines to 3D map the site looking at rock stress, overall stability and monitoring levels of up to six hazardous gases. Other applications include capturing data in the investigation, design and monitoring of mining excavations, providing more data to determine the viability, cost effectiveness and shelf life of a project.

A 12-year veteran of the mining industry, Mat acknowledges the industry is facing a myriad of challenges, but a thirst for impossible data is driving real change, for the better, within the industry.

“There is now more data available and better data capture at the front end of projects, prior to cutting into the rock.

“Data from robotic inspection allows geotechnical engineers to better alleviate the safety risks to the members of their team. We can send in a robot to assess a mine from a geotechnical and environmental standpoint. Previously workers were sent into these situations.

“Accurate data capture also allows us to properly meet environmental and social responsibilities. This will ensure our social license to operate into the future.”

Mat is optimistic about the future of the industry and robotics use more specifically.

“It’s exciting to be a part of the solution within the geotechnical space in mining,” he said.

“Ten years ago, it was difficult to imagine what the industry is achieving today, the gains that we’ve made. I imagine in 10 years’ time we will be astounded to see how far we’ve come in terms of delivering huge advances in productivity and safety.”