MINING AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY - THE FIRST FRONTIER

Beginnings of a revolution are only seen in history books. Today's min ing methods are quietly being changed. The advent of the remote contro l for underground LHDs is bill the beginning of the automation revolut ion. Automated guidance, telepresence/teleoperation and automated load ing systems have such dramatic impact that they can change the way min es are designed in the near future. This article summarizes the work d one al the Noranda Technology Centre in developing technologies that w ill pave the way for the mine of the future.