Underground mobile equipment is reaching a new stage of automation. In the September 2026 edition of International Mining, Dr Eric Pohlmann, CEO of Nerospec SK, discusses the technologies and field developments supporting the transition towards autonomous underground operations.
Underground mining automation is progressing as mobile equipment becomes capable of performing increasingly complex tasks without continuous operator intervention. While automation of mobile mining equipment has advanced rapidly in surface operations, underground environments present a different set of challenges. Confined spaces, changing conditions, and the absence of GPS require machines to perceive their surroundings, determine their position and execute tasks reliably
The article presents recent results from an autonomous loading application, where an LHD has moved more than 13,000 t of material over more than 130 hours of autonomous operation. Continuous autonomous runs of more than three hours have also been demonstrated, while recent performance testing achieved more than 50 t of material moved within one hour.
These developments are supporting the next phase of the project, including broader deployment of autonomous loading operations and the adaptation of the system to additional underground equipment types.
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IM September 2026
