Abstract

Mining is an important industrial and economic sector that plays a major role in the economic development of a country and provides many employment opportunities. Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and autonomous technologies in the mining industry started about a decade ago with the first application to autonomous trucks. The autonomous technologies provide many economic benefits to the mining industry through cost reduction, productivity improvement, reduction in exposure of workers to hazardous conditions, continuous production, and improved safety. However, implementation of these technologies has faced economic, financial, technological, workforce, and social challenges. This paper discusses the current status of AI, machine learning, and autonomous technologies implementation in the mining industry, challenges resulting from these technologies, strategies to overcome these challenges, and questions for future research.

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