UNDERGROUND LOAD AND HAUL
AutoMine Aura builds on the proven safety principles and access control systems used today, while 3D perception and adaptive intelligence enhance these capabilities, Sandvik says
Auto acceleration
Automation is the big tech driver in the load and haul space as safety and productivity focuses, plus more mixed-fleet optionality, boost uptake, Dan Gleeson reports
While motivation to invest in fullyelectric underground load and haul machines has wavered in the last few years, the increased uptake of autonomous solutions has shown no signs of abating.
Speaking in Örebro, Sweden, at the Epiroc Capital Markets Day last month, Helena Hedblom, President and CEO, said the company now has 3,900 driverless machines out in the field, exhibiting a plus- 17 % compound annual growth rate( CAGR) since 2023.
Mixed-fleet teleremote applications had risen to 1,450 as of last month, with a 15 % CAGR, while mixed-fleet automated drills were now up at 1,200, posting a 10 % CAGR over that same time frame.
Mixed-fleet autonomous load / haul applications exhibited by far the biggest growth, with 1,250 machines out in the field, showcasing a 29 % CAGR since 2023. The acquisition of 66 % of ASI Mining – and its mixed fleet autonomous solutions for surface mining – over this time frame will have been a contributor here, yet there has still been strong growth on the underground side.
Deep Automation, Epiroc’ s automation platform, has been proven at a number of
8 sites with loaders including LKAB Kiruna, Newmont Cadia, Boliden Neves Corvo and others. For trucks, the company announced its first autonomous Epiroc MT65 S was working at Agnico Eagle’ s Odyssey gold mine in Quebec last year, which joined autonomous Minetruck MT42 S trucks and Scooptram ST18 S loaders already working at the mine.
Epiroc’ s biggest competitor, Sandvik, also commented on this autonomy momentum in its own Capital Markets Day presentation in 2025, saying it had delivered more than 1,000 autonomous units via its AutoMine ® platform, with its biggest deployment to date coming at Codelco’ s El Teniente mine in Chile.
The ongoing integration of UFR, able to create the onboard infrastructure fitted on third-party – or non-iSeries Sandvik – equipment, plus the software and interface integration piece, could see more equipment come under the AutoMine ecosystem in the future.
A new automation platform
Speaking of AutoMine, Sandvik has launched what it says is a“ first-of-its-kind” underground mining automation platform that has been fully engineered for the future in the shape of AutoMine Aura.
This release represents the most significant evolution of AutoMine since its introduction more than 20 years ago, the OEM states.
AutoMine Aura“ transforms every layer of the AutoMine platform, delivering full situational awareness with zero blind spots, enabling higher utilisation and consistent productivity in complex underground environments”.
The platform introduces a new navigation system with 3D perception – the most advanced and productive in the industry – which has been proven to move over 15 % more material in one of the harshest underground mines globally.
The platform integrates with existing networks and access control systems, eliminating the need for infrastructure changes. Evolving the underlying platform enables mines to fully leverage future technologies while continuing to support today’ s operations, according to the company.
AutoMine has achieved almost nine million hours without a lost time injury since its launch and safety remains foundational
International Mining | JULY 2026