A vision of a technology-driven Mining 4.0, supported by digitalisation, sits at the heart of many companies’ strategies and increasingly, companies are moving towards Mining 5.0.

Mining 4.0 sees the integration of advanced digital technologies into the mining industry, transforming legacy operations into highly efficient, data-driven processes. It combines traditional mining practices with interconnected technologies such as automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), AI and machine learning, and advanced data analytics to optimise productivity, enhance safety and reduce environmental impact. By enabling faster decision-making, predictive maintenance, autonomous equipment and smarter resource management, Mining 4.0 improves operational efficiency and supports sustainability goals.

Mining 4.0 is thriving and has a proven track record: Studies into Russian mining from MDPI prove deep digitalisation reduces mineral loss by 12–15%, industrial accidents by 25%, operating costs by 10–15%, and sales profitability by 5% by improving logistics.

With these results, it’s unsurprising that forward-thinking mining operators are pushing ahead to achieve Mining 5.0, where human-centric design and sustainability objectives are placed at the core of the digital advancements of Mining 4.0. There’s a particular emphasis on collaboration between humans and machines that draws on automation, AI, digital twins and robotics to create a mining industry that’s smarter, more inclusive, sustainable and aligned with global decarbonisation goals.

But what could this look like in practice?

Why not start by removing humans from frontline, often hazardous, operations? Autonomous vehicles and processes can take their place, controlled and supervised by staff in Integrated Remote Operations Centres (IROCs). Advanced connectivity solutions tailored to each site can support drones that collect and transmit data via high-resolution video to the IROC for near real-time decision-making or deeper analysis.

Expanding the use of IoT sensors to machinery can support predictive analytics to optimise energy-hungry and cost-intensive processes, as well as predictive maintenance programmes to avoid shutdowns and keep operations cost-effective 24/7.

Expanding the use of IoT sensors to machinery can support predictive analytics to optimise energy-hungry and cost-intensive processes, as well as predictive maintenance programmes to avoid shutdowns and keep operations cost-effective 24/7.

Mining's ecological impact can also be reduced significantly. With robust, low-latency connectivity across the mining area, operators can use advanced technologies such as LiDAR high-resolution surface mapping and AI-powered geological modelling software to identify and remove only veins that contain ore. This minimises ecological disruption and enables operators to tailor their mining approaches to individual geographic profiles, maximising operational efficiency.

Mining operators can rely on advanced cyber security technologies to defend valuable and sensitive data, such as geological data about the location of mineral reserves and proprietary techniques. Their digital defences protect their data at rest and as it travels digitally, as well as key systems and technologies such as OT Industrial Control Systems, SCADA, automation and IoT, which are vulnerable to attacks that could lead to costly downtime.

In general, a foundation of robust connectivity that underpins and enables interaction between advanced digital technologies means mining operators can be ready to support any evolving capabilities they want to adopt. From the essential but unexciting data monitoring and reporting for regulatory compliance to blue-sky thinking around an energy-efficient, completely autonomous mine, mining operators can be ready for a sustainable, safe and profitable future.

This is just the beginning of a deeply interesting conversation exploring current and future mining challenges and how we aim to help overcome them. Future articles in this series will delve into strategies to help mining companies extract maximum value from network connectivity, cyber security, voice services and 5G technologies, before we look to the future and the potential of Mining 2050.

Look out for the next article in this digital mining series, coming soon.

And if you’d like to discover more about how BT can support your mining operations, Duncan and his team are ready to help. Any discussions about digitalisation will have cost management at their core. We always start with a blank sheet of paper and no preconceptions; we understand that every site is unique and requires an individual approach, and we look forward to exploring the possibilities of digitalisation with you.

To schedule a conversation, please contact Duncan at: duncan.vanjaarsveld@bt.com