Codelco and Normet partner to advance autonomous underground mining

Codelco and Normet have launched a five-year technology development program to advance autonomous and remotely operated underground mining technologies. The collaboration will conduct technology pilots at Codelco’s El Teniente mine in Chile, which features over 3,000 kilometers of tunnels.

The program focuses on three primary development areas: autonomous concrete transport and spraying solutions, remotely operated scaling using extended reality and mapping, and autonomous stationary breaker operations. These advancements aim to improve safety by removing personnel from hazardous environments and increasing operational efficiency as mines reach deeper, more challenging ore bodies.

By utilizing artificial intelligence, advanced perception systems, and data-driven decision-making, the initiative seeks to address industry challenges such as seismic activity and rising temperatures in deep underground mines.