Transition to autonomous operation and digital mining systems: an operational requirement and objective reality
M.V. Rylnikova
Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №5S/ 2025 p. 04-08
Abstract: The article proves that autonomous operation and digitalization of mining systems is a recognized and objective reality, driven by the trend toward increasingly complex geological and natural climate conditions at newly commissioned mines, deterioration of mining conditions at existing deposits with already exposed and prepared reserves in open pits, ore mines, strip mines, and underground mines, where, due to economic, technical and technological challenges, reserves that are virtually ready for extraction are lost in the Earth's subsoil. It has been proven that in order to overcome these obstacles, it is required to remove personnel from hazardous mining areas for mining reserves in areas with increased gas content in the mine atmosphere, at high or very low ambient temperatures, in areas with a high probability of caving and instability of mine workings, dynamic manifestation of rock pressure, in conditions when the rocks freeze-up, or at a high risk of underground bursts, or when water accumulates in the worked-out spaces. Introduction of mining systems with autonomous operation, which parameters are defined based on digital technologies and justification of the process characteristics, can significantly expand the volume of extractable mineral resources and ensure broader implementation of technical and technological solutions for efficient and safe mining of natural and natural-and-man-made raw materials.
Keywords: useful minerals, deposits, mining system, combinations of technological processes, autonomous opeartion, digitalization, hazardous areas, safety of mining operations
For citation: Rylnikova M.V. Transition to autonomous operation and digital mining systems: an operational requirement and objective reality. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(5S):04–08. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-5S-04-08
Article info
Received: 21.08.2025
Revised: 15.10.2025
Accepted: 21.10.2025
Information about the author
Marina V. Rylnikova – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Chief Research Associate, Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9984-5980; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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