Robots revolutionizing risky mining operations

Zhunneng Group and Jinneng Holding Shanxi Coal Industry Co, two major players in China's coal industry, are advancing unmanned systems, 5G networks and robotics, redefining efficiency, safety and sustainability.

At Zhunneng Group's Heidaigou mine, 17 unmanned trucks glide across the open pit like giant robotic radio-controlled cars. Their cabins sit empty, yet their movements — guided by lasers and 5G — are precise.

Nearby, operator Fu Qiang leans back in a remote control room, maneuvering a 700-metric-ton hydraulic shovel with a joystick. "After a decade in dusty cabins, I never imagined I could operate equipment from a quiet and comfortable office," he said while loading a mound of earth into a driverless truck. "Technology has truly transformed our lives."