China achieved a major breakthrough in open-pit mining technology with the launch of the nation's first unmanned smart mine coordination system at the Huaneng North Weijiamao Open-Pit Coal Mine in Juungar Banner, Ordos, on Dec 24.

This groundbreaking system integrates multiple stages of mining, including excavation, transportation, dumping, and coal selection. This marks a historic transition from single-machine intelligence to a multi-process system capable of autonomous operations.

The coordination system combines cutting-edge technologies such as 5G communication, BeiDou high-precision positioning, artificial intelligence, and the industrial internet. It enables remote control of electric shovels, driverless mining trucks, and graders, and supports a large-scale intelligent dry and wet coal processing plant. This comprehensive system ensures "zero entry" of personnel into key production areas, keeping workers out of hazardous environments with dust, noise, and other risks.

Zhang Fei, deputy general manager of China Huaneng North Weijiamao Coal Power Co, said, "Operations are now conducted from the office, improving working conditions, reducing workforce requirements, and enhancing efficiency, thereby achieving our safety objectives."

This system sets a new benchmark for intelligent construction in open-pit mining in China, further advancing the coal industry's transformation towards greater safety, efficiency, sustainability, and intelligence.