Russia Sees Strong Future for Digital Tech in Coal Mining
Automation, AI, and digital twins are reshaping one of Russia’s oldest industries, making coal extraction safer, cheaper, and more efficient.
Digital transformation is gaining momentum in Russia’s coal sector. Speaking at Russian Energy Week, Leonid Starosvet, Deputy Governor of the Kemerovo Region — the country’s key coal-mining hub — said that adopting modern digital technologies is cutting operational costs and boosting productivity across the industry.
According to Starosvet, automation and remote equipment control are becoming essential tools for improving industrial safety and protecting workers.
Smarter, Safer Mining
Across Russia, “smart” cameras now monitor mining sites in real time, sending alerts about hazardous actions or potential emergencies. The industry is also deploying drones to inspect mines and using AI systems to analyze core samples, improving exploration accuracy.
Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev added that coal companies are increasingly creating digital twins of their operations to optimize management and efficiency. Meanwhile, virtual reality training modules are helping operators safely master new high-tech equipment before it goes into production.
