AI Begins Weighing Diamond Haul Trucks in Russia
Russia is testing a domestic digital load-control system that uses artificial intelligence to improve efficiency in large-scale mining operations.
In the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), test operations have begun at open-pit mines run by ALROSA, the country’s largest diamond producer, using a Russian-developed digital system to monitor haul-truck loads. The Horus Mine complex applies machine vision and AI to calculate, in real time, the exact volume and composition of rock being transported, helping optimize logistics and production accounting.
From Underground to Open-Pit Mines
Previously used in underground mining, the technology is now being trialed at open-pit sites in Yakutia, according to drom.online. To analyze truck loads, the system combines cameras, laser scanners (lidar), and advanced algorithms. Cameras capture the overall scene, lidar builds a detailed 3D model of the truck bed, and a neural network removes extraneous objects from the model, accurately determining not only total volume but also the size distribution of rock fragments.
Horus Mine Set to Boost Output
Testing has been divided into stages. Through the end of 2025, engineers will refine the algorithms while collecting large datasets. In early 2026, the system will be evaluated for accuracy and reliability under continuous operating conditions. Based on the results, a decision will be made on deploying the technology at other sites across the operation.
The system is expected to reduce operating costs and strengthen Russia’s technological self-sufficiency, while offering a competitive solution for the global mining industry. ALROSA estimates that at the Zarnitsa open pit alone, deploying Horus Mine could deliver an additional annual output of around 38,000 cubic meters of rock, underscoring the practical value of the innovation.
