Russia Bets on Robots to Improve Mine Safety
Rosatom is rolling out a large-scale robotics program to make mining safer — a move that could transform one of the world’s most hazardous industries by 2030.
In Perm, the Mining Division of Rosatom concluded its annual safety conference with a decisive outcome: the launch of a massive robotics initiative aimed at drastically reducing workplace injuries in high-risk operations.
By 2030, the state corporation plans to create 230 new robotic systems. The program is designed not only to enhance worker safety but also to reinforce Russia’s technological sovereignty and offer globally competitive approaches to industrial safety in the mining sector.
Vladimir Verkhovtsev, head of Rosatom Nedra — the division’s managing company — announced that every enterprise has been assigned specific robotics targets, and meeting them will serve as a key performance indicator for executives. The decision underscores the seriousness of the corporation’s commitment to automation.
According to Rosatom’s press office, early successes are already visible. At the Solikamsk Magnesium Plant, robotic magnesium pourers have replaced workers in high-risk zones, eliminating the need for dangerous manual labor. Engineers at the plant also proposed remote control systems, exoskeletons for processing titanium sponge, and robotic welding technologies — all of which enhance both safety and productivity.
Conference participants also discussed new safety technologies, including video monitoring systems to ensure compliance with safety regulations and warning devices for electricians working near high-voltage areas. The Lovozero Mining and Processing Plant showcased a selective ore extraction technology that allows mining operations to continue without exposing workers to rockfall zones.
Rosatom’s growing focus on robotics and digital transformation in mining is not just a national effort — it’s setting new international benchmarks for industrial safety. The initiative demonstrates how cutting-edge automation can combine high efficiency with uncompromising protection for human life.
