Technical and operational aspects of autonomous LHD application in metal mines

TLDR

Automation of load‑haul‑dump machines is gaining attention in mining due to safety concerns, especially compared to conventional manually operated units. The study analyzes the challenges of implementing autonomous LHDs in underground metal mines, emphasizing safety measures, infrastructure, and technical problems. The authors examine safety requirements, infrastructure needs, and operational issues such as reliability, maintainability, utilisation, and production rate. Conclusions identify key pre‑ and post‑implementation factors that must be addressed to ensure autonomous loading systems deliver expected benefits.

Abstract

Due to safety concerns, automation of load-haul-dump (LHD) machines receives considerable attention from the mining industry. This paper analyses and discusses the issues and problems related to implementation and use of autonomous LHDs in underground metal mines. It presents the need for safety measures, infrastructure and discusses technical problems encountered. The paper looks also into technical and operational issues (reliability, maintainability, utilisation, production rate, etc.) as compared to conventional manually operated machines. Conclusions focus mostly on the aspects requiring attention before and after the implementation of autonomous loading systems in order to maximise the chances that they deliver expected benefits.