Innovation Needs Input… So Why’s My Survey So Lonely?
First off, a huge thank you to everyone who has participated in our research so far! Your insights have been incredibly valuable, and as a token of appreciation, you’ll be handsomely rewarded—with access to the whitepaper (because let’s be honest, what better prize is there in mining research?).
About 4-5 months ago, we set out to explore the future of underground hard rock mining automation. We’ve been gathering insights through interviews and surveys, aiming to paint a clearer picture of where the industry is headed. But here’s the thing—while everyone seems eager for better technology solutions, actually getting people to participate in these conversations has been…like convincing management to shut down for maintenance.
Why Aren’t People Participating? Some Theories…
- The NDA Black Hole – Mining is built on a heavily concentrated supplier base, and there’s a perception that everything is locked down by NDAs. Even when the information isn’t particularly sensitive, people hesitate to speak openly because they assume they can’t.
- No One Has Time – Let’s be honest: the industry is stretched thin, and everyone is overworked. If you barely have time to grab a coffee, how does a survey solve that problem instead of adding to it?
- Surveys Are Boring – No one wants to fill out a dry, corporate survey. If we want meaningful engagement, we need to make the process more interesting, engaging, and (dare I say) even a little fun.
For those who have shared their perspectives, some common themes are emerging:
Automation Areas and Current Challenges
- Teams are leveraging automation in areas such as loading, hauling, and drilling, but progress varies.
- Challenges include the need for recommissioning due to workforce turnover and evolving operational requirements.
- Workforce requalification, particularly for tele-remote operations, remains a significant barrier.
- Utilization rates for automated systems remain low in some cases, prompting diagnostics to identify bottlenecks in people, processes, and technology.
What Participants Are Saying:
“Frequent recommissioning is necessary due to workforce turnover.”
“Even when systems were active, utilization was limited because we didn’t fully understand the resource needs to sustain operations.”
Isolation Zones: A Key Barrier to Automation Adoption:
- One of the most common barriers is the need for isolated operational zones, which limit the use of automated systems to specific periods and reduce overall efficiency.
- The industry is beginning to explore flexible or modular safety zones, allowing personnel to safely cross or work within these areas, a critical step toward broader automation adoption.
Our research is ongoing, and we hope to expand the discussion by incorporating more perspectives—especially from regions like Australia, Chile, and Scandinavia, where automation adoption presents unique challenges and opportunities.
If you work in mining innovation, automation, or technology adoption, I invite you to share your thoughts: What barriers to automation have you encountered? What solutions do you see emerging?
How to Participate in the Research
The survey takes about one hour and is conducted as an online conversation with me. While we follow a predetermined set of questions, the discussion is informal—the questions are more of a guide than a rigid script.
The findings will help shape further research and development with all contributors remaining anonymous. After our discussion, I’ll share the results with you, allowing you to review and request any changes or removals.
If you’re interested in contributing, let’s connect—I’d love to hear your insights!
If you’d like to stay in touch and get access to some of our other research including that from the Electric Vehicles in Mining Operation (EVMO) project consider signing up to the newsletter.
