ABB has been honored with the 2024 Euromines Safety Award for its exceptional commitment to health and safety in the mining sector. The award was presented during a ceremony in Brussels on October 2, 2024.
ABB received the prestigious award for its innovative technology demonstrator: an automated robotic remote blasting loader and charger designed for underground mining. This advancement was developed in collaboration with Boliden, LKAB, and explosive suppliers Forcit and LKAB Kimit.
The second annual Euromines Safety Awards, organized by the European Association of Mining Industries, Metal Ores, and Industrial Minerals (Euromines), saw numerous submissions from member companies and institutions globally. From 12 finalists, three winners were selected, with ABB securing the top prize.
The primary goal of ABB’s robotic loader and charger is to enhance safety in mining operations by automating one of the few remaining manual processes: charging blasting holes with explosives. In larger mines, this task can occur up to 15 times daily as miners expand chambers to extract mineral and metal ores. The technology autonomously detects boreholes and fills them with explosives, eliminating the need for workers to be near unsupported rock faces during loading and charging operations.
The system features an ABB industrial robotic arm mounted on a carrier vehicle, equipped with integrated bulk emulsion and vision systems, along with a secondary robotic arm for assembling the prime and detonator. This automated solution guarantees complete access to all borehole levels and rock face areas while allowing operators to control it remotely.
“ABB’s commitment to fostering a safe work environment is commendable for the mining industry, and we applaud the team for their ongoing efforts,” stated Rolf Kuby, Director General of Euromines. “We appreciate all participants for their contributions and look forward to leveraging technologies and best practices to enhance the mining industry continuously.”
“While productivity and sustainability are essential for advancing the mining sector, safety remains our top priority,” added Max Luedtke, Business Line Manager for Mining at ABB Process Industries. “Our engineering solutions and industry-specific technologies are key to making significant progress. It’s an honor to have our automated robotic remote loader and charger recognized by our peers for its potential to keep workers safe while ensuring productive operations. We extend our gratitude to our partners—Boliden, LKAB, Forcit, and LKAB Kimit—for their support in bringing this concept to fruition.”
The annual awards ceremony celebrates the contributions of Euromines member companies to improving health and safety in the European mining industry. An independent jury of experts from EU circles evaluated the submitted projects based on innovation, impact, practicality, and financial viability.
