In Tampere, Finland, a convergence of science fiction and reality is underway as digital mining technologies delve into the underground depths. The vision is bold: to revolutionize mining operations with cleaner, safer, and more efficient practices. At the forefront of this transformation is Sandvik, where automation, electrification, and digitalization intertwine to reshape the mining landscape.
Laura Hokkanen, Test Mine Digitalization Lead at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, emphasizes the pivotal role of digitalization in addressing the myriad challenges facing mining operators today. From enhancing safety and productivity to reducing environmental impact, Sandvik is rolling out a suite of digital solutions aimed at optimizing efficiency and profitability.
Among these innovations are automated and autonomous products like AutoMine®, offering real-time data on equipment condition and performance. Such technologies not only bolster production but also cut down on operational costs and extend equipment lifespan. Additionally, Sandvik provides data-driven productivity solutions through its modular OptiMine® information systems.
Yet, before these digital marvels can be deployed in actual mines, rigorous testing is imperative. Sandvik’s state-of-the-art test mine in Tampere, boasting six kilometers of tunnels at a depth of 40 meters, serves as the proving ground. Here, researchers can simulate real mine conditions, conduct rapid prototype testing, and ensure the quality of underground equipment.
The test mine also doubles as a center of excellence, offering competence development to customers and spearheading research projects. Through virtual reality (VR) equipment, visitors can remotely operate fully automated machinery, experiencing firsthand the latest in connectivity solutions.
Hokkanen underscores the test mine’s critical role in Sandvik’s research and development endeavors. The absence of ongoing ore production provides a unique setting for testing new technologies and safety systems under authentic conditions.
For miners, the advent of digitalization, automation, and electrification heralds a paradigm shift in the workplace. With reduced noise, minimized accident risks, and enhanced operational oversight, the mining environment becomes safer and more efficient. Moreover, sustainability is prioritized, with electrification and automation diminishing the need for ventilation tunnels and curbing diesel emissions.
Sandvik’s approach to digitalization is anchored in human-centric design, ensuring that innovation aligns with users’ needs and preferences. Hokkanen stresses the importance of maintaining a sense of control and professional expertise amidst technological advancements. Solutions must inspire trust and empower miners to leverage data effectively without undermining their intrinsic value in the mining ecosystem.
In the pursuit of digitalizing work processes, preserving the meaningful aspects of human involvement is paramount. Sandvik recognizes that innovation should augment, rather than overshadow, the expertise of miners. By prioritizing human-centered design, Sandvik aims to usher in a future where technology and tradition coexist harmoniously, fostering safer, more sustainable mining practices.
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