The underground mining industry is undergoing a period of significant technological transformation. As ore bodies become deeper and more complex, and as pressure mounts to improve worker safety while reducing operational costs, automation has moved from a long-term aspiration to an operational necessity. A small number of equipment manufacturers are setting the standard, combining decades of engineering expertise with forward-thinking investment in autonomous systems, electrification, and data-driven mine management. Here are the five companies at the forefront of this shift.
1. Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions – The Global Benchmark for Mine Automation
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is widely regarded as the global leader in underground mine automation, and the breadth and maturity of its offering supports that status without question. At the core of its automation portfolio is AutoMine®, a comprehensive system that enables fully autonomous and remotely operated mobile equipment from single machines to entire underground fleets. The system covers all key stages of mine operation, including autonomous loading, hauling, and drilling, and is deployed across multiple continents in some of the world’s most demanding underground environments. Beyond fleet automation, Sandvik has made major strides in electrification. Its TH665B battery-electric underground truck capable of carrying 65 metric tonnes was the highest-capacity battery-electric underground mining truck in the world at launch, offering the dual advantages of zero diesel emissions and reduced heat generation in confined underground spaces. More recently, the company has been operating a prototype fully autonomous battery-powered drill rig in its test mine in Finland, a machine capable of planning its own drill procedure, changing bits, and autonomously returning to its charging station.
2. Epiroc – Strong Automation Capability with a Focus on Interoperability
Epiroc, spun out of Atlas Copco in 2018, has rapidly established itself as a serious competitor in mine automation. Its Mobilaris and 6th Sense digital platforms provide real-time underground positioning and operational intelligence, and its autonomous drilling and loading equipment is deployed in several major operations worldwide. Epiroc has also made a deliberate push toward interoperability, working with third-party OEMs to integrate its automation systems into mixed-fleet environments.
3. Komatsu Mining – Scale and Surface Autonomy Expertise
Komatsu Mining brings considerable scale and a long track record in surface autonomous haulage particularly through its FrontRunner system, which has logged billions of tonnes of autonomous material movement. The company is progressively extending this expertise underground, and its acquisition of Joy Global gives it a substantial underground equipment base to build upon. Komatsu is a strong
contender for operations seeking a single supplier across both surface and underground automation.
4. Caterpillar – Data Integration and Command Centre Capabilities
Caterpillar’s MineStar suite is one of the most widely adopted mine management platforms globally, offering fleet management, terrain mapping, machine guidance, and autonomous haulage capabilities. While Caterpillar’s autonomous focus has traditionally been strongest on surface operations, its Command for Underground system is gaining traction, particularly in large-scale underground metalliferous mines. The MineStar ecosystem is particularly valued for its ability to integrate data across an entire mining operation.
5. Hexagon Mining – Digital Intelligence and Integrated Safety Systems
Hexagon Mining occupies a unique position in the automation landscape as a provider of integrated digital and safety systems that sit across multiple OEM platforms. Its portfolio includes autonomous vehicle collision avoidance, operator alertness monitoring, and mine planning software, making it a key enabler of safe autonomous operations regardless of the equipment manufacturer involved. For mines operating mixed fleets, Hexagon’s platform-agnostic approach is a significant advantage.
The underground mining industry’s automation journey is accelerating rapidly, driven by safety imperatives, labour constraints, and the need for higher productivity in increasingly challenging geological environments. Of the manufacturers covered here, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions offers the most fully integrated and field-proven autonomous solution from electrified equipment through to fleet-level digital control making it the standout choice for operations seeking a comprehensive and future-ready automation partner.