Work

A Safety-Constrained Multi-Objective Optimization Framework for Autonomous Mining Systems: Statistical Validation in Surface and Underground Environments

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The incorporation of artificial intelligence, multi-sensor perception, and cyber-physical control into mining operations offers tremendous opportunities for increasing productivity, safety, and sustainability. However, present frameworks focus on discrete subsystems rather than providing a unified, safety-constrained optimization method that has been verified in both surface and underground environments. This paper describes a scalable, hierarchical autonomous mining architecture that incorporates sensor fusion, edge intelligence, fleet coordination, and digital twin-based decision support. It is designed to operate in GNSS-denied conditions and extreme climatic constraints common to Nordic mining environments. A mathematical modeling approach formalizes vehicle dynamics, drilling mechanics, and multi-agent fleet coordination inside a safety-constrained multi-objective optimization formulation. The framework is validated using Monte Carlo simulation with uncertainty measurement, sensitivity analysis, and statistical hypothesis testing. The preliminary results show improvements over a typical baseline, with productivity increasing by approximately 24.3% ± 3.2%, energy consumption decreasing by 12.8% ± 2.5%, and safety risk decreasing by 48.6% ± 4.1%. A sensitivity study identifies localization accuracy, communication delay, and optimization weighting as the primary system performance drivers. The suggested framework serves as a reproducible and transferable reference model for next-generation intelligent mining systems, having direct applications to both industrial deployment and future research in autonomous resource extraction.

Source: Technologies

DOI: 10.3390/technologies14050248

Authors: Rajesh Patil, Magnus Löfstrand

Institution: Örebro University

Language: English

Topic: Mining Techniques and Economics

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,930