China is building the world's tallest unmanned mine at a highlands of 5,600m, higher than the world's tallest residential area today.
At the Huoshaoyun lead-zinc mine in Hoa Dien district, Xinjiang, domestically developed unmanned mining trucks have completed the testing of ore loading and transportation. These machines can operate day and night, eliminating risks for workers when exposed to cold environments with a lack of oxygen at high altitudes.
This achievement " marks a major breakthrough in China's smart mining development in extreme high-altitude environments, contributing a "Advanced Chinese Solution to the exploitation of global plateau minerals," Science and Technology Daily reported.
The Huoshaoyun mine is located deep in the Conh Luan Mountains, with an average altitude of over 5,600m, where the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere is only half that of sea level. This area has to endure harsh conditions such as continuous strong winds, low temperatures all year round and deep perennial ice areas. Transporting and unloading traditional handmade ores not only takes a lot of effort but also poses a significant danger in such conditions.
Huoshaoyun mine contains the largest and best reserves of lead - zinc discovered by China to date. The metal reserves at this location are estimated to exceed 21 million tons, making it the sixth largest lead-zinc mine in the world, with an estimated economic value of more than 370 billion yuan (more than 52 billion USD).
To address these challenges, Huoshaoyun lead-zinc Mining Company has partnered with Beijing Linghang Zhitu Technology Company to develop unmanned mining trucks.
This smart transportation system integrates advanced technologies such as multi-sensor synthesis awareness and cloud network connection to support 5G.
These technologies allow trucks to accurately identify obstacles and operate markings, while planning optimal routes in real time. They can also navigate the complex terrain of the mine, with large slopes, sharp turns and flat surfaces.
The system is also reinforced by the installation of real-time remote simulation cockpits. In case of emergency, safety staff can remotely control the truck and perform precise intervention thousands of kilometers away, using a 360-degree panoramic view transmitted by a high-altitude camera.
