HIGH PROFILE: Sandvik Mining / Universal Field Robots
mixed-fleet environment.
“ We did not have a native Sandvik remote loading option available for the machines that they’ re operating, but now, with the UFR and AutoMine integration, we have been able to offer them teleremote loading and autonomous trucking within the same existing system that they have today. The infrastructure didn’ t need to be replaced, and, for the safety systems, the back end of the autonomy solution can also be utilised.
“ We can seamlessly integrate the machines directly into the existing system.”
When it comes to surface opportunities, Hallett said the effort is focused on removing people from high-risk areas like the bench.“ AutoLog is a good example of that,” he added.
AutoLog, developed by UFR and IMDEX, is a semi-autonomous robotic platform for blast hole sensing. This product formed the baseline for BLAST DOG™, a semiautonomous system that helps optimise blasting based on high-resolution 3D material models built from sensor data. In this setup, UFR AutoLog drives on the mining bench to hole locations as directed by autonomous drills, uses robotic vision to check the hole location and then winches a wireline sensor down the blast hole.
This can positively influence blast designs – lowering costs, increasing product recovery and reducing ore dilution. That is before considering the ability to move people out of a dangerous zone to improve safety and productivity, and reduce risk.
“ That is a really good example of keeping people off the bench and automating a dangerous task as well as a laborious one,” Hallett said.“ Also, you very often can’ t carry out this process at night due to visibility. AutoLog removes that constraint and provides close to real-time, consistent data of what is actually being blasted.”
The ability to have this type of auxiliary equipment within the AutoMine‘ visibility’ zone moves the sector that much closer to envisaging the autonomous and digital mine of the future – something other OEMs are catching onto, according to Toodu.
“ We are finding that other companies are coming to us and looking to collaborate knowing that their machines could be visible in the AutoMine platform and be operated within this ecosystem,” she said, adding that MacLean was one such company looking to see how its production support and utility vehicles could be integrated into the AutoMine ecosystem.
New automation niches
While mass mining operations are obvious candidates to expand the AutoMine universe via UFR’ s expertise – and have been a target area for other OEMs( Epiroc teaming up with MacLean via its own automation platform
18 to tackle secondary breaking operations at the Newmont-owned Cadia operations mine in Australia, for example) – there are other non-traditional areas that are keeping Hallett and Wimal busy.
The combination of Sandvik’ s global network and UFR’ s mechatronic engineers and software developers also has the OEM on the cusp of solving a major underground hurdle in the blast hole preparation stage.
Underground blast hole cleaning and surveying is a serious safety issue for miners, requiring overhead work with the risk of dislodging material that can fall on operators. It is dirty and noisy work that is best carried out by robotic machines, with UFR AutoPrep looking to fulfil that need. The orebody knowledge solutions that UFR, in partnership with IMDEX, have embarked on – winning contracts with the likes of Fortescue, for instance – are another potential avenue for Sandvik to pursue with intent. of the UFR solution allows us to be more flexible in choosing the equipment that best suits Gold Fields and Granny Smith’ s needs,” he added.
Granny Smith fires at the end of every day and night shift, which leaves an opening for early re-entry with autonomous trucks, accelerating the production process when compared with a manual operation.
Since going live, Granny Smith has conducted more than 2,000 km of underground haulage with the UFR Haulage solution, translating into a significant boost in tonnage delivered to the mill at the surface. Wimal said the roughly 30 % of work UFR conducts outside of mining through its Automation as a Service platform – where the focus is now mainly on quarrying and the solar generation markets – will also potentially open up new avenues in mining. He explained:“ Even with this external work, we will end up owning the patents and
Since going live, Granny Smith has conducted more than 2,000 km of underground haulage with the UFR Haulage solution
Other areas currently under consideration include higher levels of autonomy on wheel loaders for stockpile management, as well as conversations around automated dozing, Wimal said.
This will, no doubt, leverage the gains made through the UFR Haulage agnostic and interoperable autonomous haulage project involving Epiroc MT65 trucks retrofitted with UFRautonomy™ that UFR has been involved in at Gold Fields Granny Smith mine in Western Australia, which is now fully operational with six trucks.
Ross Clements, Product Line Manager at UFR, said the OEM-agnostic nature of UFR Haulage meant Granny Smith didn’ t need to bring in a new fleet to start introducing more autonomous haulage at the mine.
As Troy Williams, Control System Specialist at Gold Fields, says, trucks are a much more dynamic and complex piece of equipment when it comes to automation, moving a lot more and in a much more dynamic way.“ The OEM-agonistic nature potentially creating some mining-specific adaptations down the line. There are definite synergies to be had.”
While Sandvik set the wheels in motion to open up AutoMine a decade ago, the introduction of UFR feels like the process is only just starting.
The UFR-infused AutoMine platform will be underwriting further safety and productivity gains well into the future, while the latest AutoMine release, AutoMine Aura, cementing Sandvik’ s leading automation offering. This has seen a new navigation system with 3D perception come into the AutoMine fold, the most advanced and productive in the industry, according to Sandvik, which has been proven to move over 15 % more material in one of the harshest underground mines globally.
Launched initially on underground loaders, the platform is set to expand across additional Sandvik product lines over time and, with the help of UFR’ s own solutions, widen the AutoMine reach even further.
International Mining | AUGUST 2026