The Application of Automation in Open-Cast Mining

The methods used in gold mining are influenced by the conditions under which the ore deposits are found and are primarily categorised into underground and open-cast mining. For some gold deposits with lower grades and shallow depths, open-cast mining is the preferred method, as it offers favourable working conditions, a wide mining area and manageable investment costs. The main stages of this process include drilling, blasting, loading and haulage.

With the comprehensive implementation of current environmental protection policies, the challenges facing gold mining have become increasingly diverse, whilst traditional mining methods have been highlighted for their high energy consumption and high pollution levels. To further reduce labour costs and enhance safety management, mechanisation and automation have become the primary focus for optimising mining operations.

Mechanisation and automation technology primarily refers to the integration of new technologies—such as computer technology, electronics and intelligent control—into conventional mechanical systems, thereby forming a technical framework capable of operating automatically with little or no human intervention. At present, mechanised automation technology has already been applied in various stages of gold mining and is yielding relatively favourable results.

Applications in Open-Cast Mining

Automated Drilling

By integrating GPS automatic positioning systems, intelligent guidance systems and intelligent control systems with traditional automated equipment, it is possible to achieve automatic positioning of drilling locations, real-time monitoring of borehole diameter and depth, and improvements in drilling accuracy and operational efficiency. This technology is evident in the open-pit mining operations of numerous gold mines. For example, a certain open-pit gold mine utilises automated roller-cone drilling rigs for drilling; these rigs are equipped with automatic guidance and intelligent control systems. During the preparatory phase, relevant instructions and standardised parameters are input based on the specific drilling plan; once operations commence, the automatic control system promptly acquires relevant parameters such as position, depth and borehole diameter during drilling, and compares these with the pre-set information to ensure that the operational results align with the initial design plan. This equipment enhances the efficiency of drilling operations, with precision control errors kept below 5 cm.

Automated Loading and Hauling Operations

In the loading and hauling phase following blasting, mechanical automation technology also has clear areas of application, primarily through integration with excavators and loaders. This involves combining vision recognition systems, remote control systems, automatic loading algorithm systems and mechanical equipment to achieve automated ore loading and unloading. The number of crew members on site will be reduced to 3–4; operators can monitor and control the loading operations via a remote system, thereby achieving a preliminary level of unmanned operation.

Automated Transport

The mechanical equipment in the automated transport system centres on driverless mining trucks and belt conveyors, which are key to enhancing open-cast mining efficiency. These automated vehicles are equipped with cameras, lidar and millimetre-wave radar, utilising a three-dimensional sensor array to autonomously plan their routes. High-precision maps embedded within the system serve as the primary basis for the automated system’s operation, enabling the transport vehicles to navigate, avoid obstacles and carry out loading and unloading tasks automatically. This model has achieved a preliminary level of fully unmanned operation; provided the equipment performs reliably, 24-hour unmanned operations can be carried out.