Specific features of digitalization and automation of underground mining systems in transition to autonomous technological processes in operating mines

K.V. Baranovsky, A.A. Rozhkov
 Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №5S/ 2025 p. 64-68

Abstract: Modernization of mining systems is aimed at increasing the efficiency of mining operations in accordance with the current conditions of the operating mine. Currently, the need to create mining conditions for efficient use of digital tools and introduction of production process automation is especially urgent. This, in turn, requires improving and adapting the design and parameters of mining systems for the use of autonomous equipment. When a mine develops an upgraded mining system as well as when switching to autonomous technological processes at operating mines, a quantum technical leap should take place regarding the stability of operating the mining system. The upgraded mining system itself needs be able to quickly adapt to changing mining, geological and economic conditions of the deposit development, maintaining and increasing the potential for using previously applied technical solutions, harmoniously fitting into the existing mining conditions. Using the principles of a complementary approach to optimizing the parameters of a mining system, upgrading the mining system will ensure complex stability of the company’s operation, and compliance of the technical solutions with the changing mining, geological, and economic conditions for underground mining of mineral deposits. The article presents technical solutions for upgrading underground mining systems based on a complementary approach to mutual optimization of subsystems within the mining system. Further research will focus on identifying the causes and factors that directly or indirectly affect the efficiency of implementing new design solutions that utilize digitalization and autonomous operation tools in the current operating conditions of mining companies.

Keywords: mining system, upgraded mining system, technological process, digitalization, autonomous operation, automation, complementary approach

Acknowledgements: The research was performed within the framework of State Contract No.075-00410-25-00, Topic 1 (2025–2027).

For citation: Baranovsky K.V., Rozhkov A.A. Specific features of digitalization and automation of underground mining systems in transition to autonomous technological processes in operating mines. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(5S):64–68. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-5S-64-68

Article info

Received: 25.08.2025

Revised: 06.10.2025

Accepted: 09.10.2025

Information about the authors

Kirill V. Baranovsky – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Underground Geotechnology, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Artem A. Rozhkov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Underground Geotechnology, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation

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