The aim of the research is to assess the applicability of robotics and automation technologies to enhance safety performance and operational efficiency in mining operations in surface, underground, and coal mining settings. A mixed-methods and systematic approach was embraced, which involved the secondary data through peer-reviewed publications, industrial reporting, and reported mining cases. The applicability of autonomous haulage systems, robotic drilling and inspection systems, UAVs, patrol robots, swarm robotics, and intelligent sensor networks was evaluated based on the main safety and efficiency indicators. A coherent analytical system was established in order to compare the correlation of accident minimization, reduction of exposure to workers, productivity improvement, and equipment functionality in various mining conditions. The findings reveal that there was a great safety enhancement, and the rates of reduction of accidents are 39.1% in surface mining, 51.4% in underground mining, and 48.0% in coal mining. In underground operations, exposure of workers to hazardous areas was reduced by up to 58.9%. There was also a significant improvement in the operational efficiency, whereby there was an increment of equipment use by 30.7%, productivity output by 31.6%, a reduction in the cycle time by 30.8%, and a decline in the unplanned downtime by 45.3%. The greatest combined benefit was seen in underground mining based on the integrated Safety -Efficiency Index (SEI = 17.6). The results prove that robotics and automation allow improving safety and efficiency simultaneously, especially in the high-risk mining areas, which facilitates the shift toward safer and more sustainable mining processes.
Obosu M, Frimpong S. Advances in automation and robotics: The state of the emerging future mining industry. Journal of Safety and Sustainability. 2025;2(3):181–94.
2.
Long M, Schafrik S, Kolapo P, Agioutantis Z, Sottile J. Equipment and Operations Automation in Mining: A Review. Machines. 2024;12(10):713.
3.
Du H, Chan L, Tong J, Raad R, Naghdy F, Guo Q, et al. Industrial Progress of Robotic Automation in Mining Applications: A Survey. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration. 2025;42(2):537–56.
4.
Waghmare G, Thelkar A, Babu S, Katre R, Kumar A, Mahender K. Robotics in Underground Mining for Improved Worker Safety and Efficiency. International Journal of Environmental Sciences. 2025;279–86.
5.
Onifade M, Said KO, Shivute AP. Safe mining operations through technological advancement. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 2023;175:251–8.
6.
Flores-Castañeda RO, Olaya-Cotera S, López-Porras M, Tarmeño-Juscamaita E, Iparraguirre-Villanueva O. Technological advances and trends in the mining industry: a systematic review. Mineral Economics. 2024;38(2):221–36.
7.
Tan J, Melkoumian N, Harvey D, Akmeliawati R. Evaluating Swarm Robotics for Mining Environments: Insights into Model Performance and Application. Applied Sciences. 2024;14(19):8876.
8.
Kim H, Choi Y. Development of Autonomous Driving Patrol Robot for Improving Underground Mine Safety. Applied Sciences. 2023;13(6):3717.
9.
Shrivastava A. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in mining sector: Enhancing productivity and safety. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering. 2025;239(15):2219–35.
10.
Pouresmaieli M, Ataei M, Taran A. Future mining based on internet of things (IoT) and sustainability challenges. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology. 2022;30(2):211–28.
11.
Nguyen HAD, Ha QP. Robotic autonomous systems for earthmoving equipment operating in volatile conditions and teaming capacity: a survey. Robotica. 2022;41(2):486–510.
12.
Ge S, Wang FY, Yang J, Ding Z, Wang X, Li Y, et al. Making Standards for Smart Mining Operations: Intelligent Vehicles for Autonomous Mining Transportation. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Vehicles. 2022;7(3):413–6.
13.
Topolsky D, Topolskaya I, Plaksina I, Shaburov P, Yumagulov N, Fedorov D, et al. Development of a Mobile Robot for Mine Exploration. Processes. 2022;10(5):865.
14.
Wu X, Li H, Wang B, Zhu M. Review on Improvements to the Safety Level of Coal Mines by Applying Intelligent Coal Mining. Sustainability. 2022;14(24):16400.
15.
Imam M, Baïna K, Tabii Y, Ressami EM, Adlaoui Y, Benzakour I, et al. The Future of Mine Safety: A Comprehensive Review of Anti-Collision Systems Based on Computer Vision in Underground Mines. Sensors. 2023;23(9):4294.
16.
Cacciuttolo C, Guzmán V, Catriñir P, Atencio E, Komarizadehasl S, Lozano-Galant JA. Low-Cost Sensors Technologies for Monitoring Sustainability and Safety Issues in Mining Activities: Advances, Gaps, and Future Directions in the Digitalization for Smart Mining. Sensors. 2023;23(15):6846.
17.
Kamran-Pishhesari A, Moniri-Morad A, Sattarvand J. Applications of 3D Reconstruction in Virtual Reality-Based Teleoperation: A Review in the Mining Industry. Technologies. 2024;12(3):40.
18.
Onifade M, Adebisi JA, Shivute AP, Genc B. Challenges and applications of digital technology in the mineral industry. Resources Policy. 2023;85:103978.
19.
Licardo JT, Domjan M, Orehovački T. Intelligent Robotics—A Systematic Review of Emerging Technologies and Trends. Electronics. 2024;13(3):542.
20.
Špirková S, Straka M, Saniuk A. VR Simulation and Implementation of Robotics: A Tool for Streamlining and Optimization. Applied Sciences. 2024;14(11):4434.
The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
,
