Innovations in smart robotics are helping a leading Middle Eastern mining company to reduce its carbon footprint and keep human employees safe.
Ma’aden, Saudi Arabia’s leading mining enterprise, is working with OffWorld, a pioneer in AI-powered industrial mining systems, to take the first steps towards fully autonomous mineral extraction by exploring the potential of smart robots in the industry giant’s mines. The promise of robotic mining will, said the partners, usher in a new era of zero-carbon footprint mining with no people in harm’s way, and will revolutionize the processing of the minerals in the mine itself.
“The mining industry has been lagging to fully unlock the capabilities of emerging technologies,” commented Hamad Al-Rashidi, Ma’aden Senior Vice President of Safety, Sustainability & Innovation. “The world cannot afford for the mining industry to continue to operate legacy mining methods that put humans in harsh operational environments and unnecessarily move millions of tonnes of waste material. Ma’aden intends to lead the way by leveraging technological advancement in robotics and Artificial Intelligence to achieve fully autonomous mining.”
“OffWorld is developing the world’s most rugged industrial swarming robots who are able to operate in the frigid cold of the tundra to the scorching heat of the desert,” added Jim Keravala, OffWorld’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to be working with such a progressive company as Ma’aden which is dedicated to building the mines of the future whilst leading the way with action. This generation’s obligation to care for our planet’s needs whilst striving to provide for humankind calls for bold leadership and a commitment to make positive change on a grand scale.”
Ma’aden is the largest multi-commodity mining and metals company in the Middle East and among the fastest-growing mining companies in the world, with revenues of $7.12 billion in 2021. The company said it is developing the mining industry into the third pillar of the Saudi economy in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
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