Autonomous Mining Vehicles Cleared for Trials at Two Mineral Deposits
The vehicles will operate under an experimental regulatory framework approved by the Russian government.
The Russian government has approved an experimental legal framework for the use of autonomous mining vehicles. The three-year program will be implemented at two mining sites: the Ozernoye deposit in Buryatia and the Peschanka deposit in Chukotka.
The program provides for the large-scale operation of highly automated self-propelled vehicles in open-pit mining. The technologies involved include artificial intelligence, big data analytics, digital engineering, robotics, sensors, and the Internet of Things.
The autonomous vehicles will be introduced in several stages. Initially, they will operate with a driver present in the cab. As the systems are refined and validated, the vehicles will transition to fully autonomous operation.
The government expects the program to help establish new forms of economic activity while creating favorable conditions for the development and deployment of digital innovations in the mining industry.
