Sandvik on 26 May launched AutoMine® Aura, a first-of-its-kind underground mining automation platform fully engineered for the future. The release represents the most significant evolution of AutoMine® since its introduction more than 20 years ago.
AutoMine® Aura transforms every layer of the AutoMine® platform, delivering full situational awareness with zero blind spots, enabling higher utilisation and consistent productivity in complex underground environments. The platform introduces a new navigation system with 3D perception — the most advanced and productive in the industry — which has been proven to move more than 15% additional material in one of the world’s harshest underground mines.
The platform integrates with existing networks and access control systems, eliminating the need for infrastructure changes. This evolution of the underlying platform enables mines to fully leverage future technologies while continuing to support current operations.
AutoMine® has achieved almost nine million hours without a lost time injury (LTI) since its launch, and safety remains foundational to its next generation. AutoMine® Aura builds on the proven safety principles and access control systems already in use today, while 3D perception and adaptive intelligence further enhance these capabilities. This strengthens safety in increasingly dynamic environments.
Operators also benefit from a wider, more intuitive interface that delivers full awareness of the mine environment. This enables the remote supervision and control of multiple machines, reducing exposure to dust, noise, vibration and other on-site hazards. The enhanced operator experience supports both safety and productivity, while also contributing to workforce development by transitioning operators into more technology-focused roles.
AutoMine® Aura will initially launch on underground loaders, with the platform set to expand across additional Sandvik product lines over time.
“AutoMine® is already a world-leading solution, proven across more than 140 mines globally,” said David Hallett, Vice President – Automation at Sandvik. “It has defined automation in mining for more than two decades across both surface and underground operations. With AutoMine® Aura, we have not built the next version; we have built an entirely new platform. The navigation system with 3D perception is the first of its kind in the industry, and the productivity gains — including moving more than 15% additional material — have been proven and validated at customer sites. This demonstrates what this technology means for our customers and for the future of mining.”
AutoMine® Aura will be presented to the global mining industry at Sandvik’s upcoming Future of Mining event in Tampere, Finland, from September 1–3, 2026.
Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a global, high-tech engineering group providing solutions that enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability for the manufacturing, mining and infrastructure industries. The company is at the forefront of digitalisation and focuses on optimising customers’ processes. Its world-leading offering includes equipment, tools, services and digital solutions for machining, mining, rock excavation and rock processing. In 2025, the Group had approximately 42,000 employees and revenues of about SEK121 billion across more than 150 countries.
Business Area Mining
Mining is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a leading global supplier of equipment, tools, parts, services, digital solutions and sustainability-driven technologies for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, loading and hauling, tunnelling, ground support and quarrying. In 2025, sales were approximately SEK69 billion, with about 18,000 employees. For further information, visit mining.sandvik.
