Why Should Inspection Robots be used in Deep Underground Mines

Deep underground mines impose new challenges for mining industry when searching for new hardly accessible deposits. These challenges are related to locations of deposits, their geometry, and harsh environment (dust, temperature, and humidity) including natural hazards (gas emission, water, and seismic events). Even nowadays, miners are allowed to work during shorter (6 h only) shifts. It is expected that this period will be shortened in the following years. More demanding conditions in the mine focus activities of companies and research institutions toward introducing robots to the mines. There are many successful examples of autonomous machines operated in the mine, robotized processes, and application of UAVs in open-cast mines. Unfortunately, applications of robotics in an underground mine are still limited. In this paper, we will introduce recently launched project THING, supported by H2020 EU programme that is devoted to the usage of autonomous quadrupedal robot ANYmal for inspection of infrastructure in deep copper ore mine. To be more precise, we will discuss how to support daily maintenance procedures for belt conveyors. In the paper, we will briefly present ANYmal, highlight main research tasks from maintenance and robotic perspective and discuss possible inspection missions for belt conveyor maintenance.

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