The Application of Demolition Robots in the Mining Industry
I. Basic Background of Mining Industry
1.What is the most common type of mining?
Mining methods are mainly categorized into open-pit mining, underground mining, as well as placer mining and solution mining based on resource characteristics:
Open-pit mining: Extracts ore bodies by stripping surface overburden. Suitable for ore bodies with shallow burial (depth from surface < 500m) and wide distribution, such as coal mines and iron mines. It is the most commonly used method due to high efficiency and low cost.
Underground mining: Reaches ore bodies through underground engineering. Suitable for deeply buried ore bodies (depth > 500m) or those unsuitable for open-pit mining, such as deep gold mines.
Other types:Placer mining targets placer deposits in loose sediments, separating minerals via water flushing and screening.Solution mining extracts minerals by injecting chemical solvents (e.g., acid, alkali, salt solutions) to dissolve useful components, eliminating the need for traditional excavation.
2.Which country has the largest mining industry in the world?
Measured by full-industry-chain influence and risk resistance, China ranks first due to its control over refining hubs, consumer markets, and policy tools (such as export controls). However, Australia remains an irreplaceable cornerstone supplier due to its resource endowments and cost advantages.
3.What is the outlook for the mining industry?
Short - term (2025 - 2030): The twin tracks of intelligentization and greening will progress in parallel. China and Australia are leading in the implementation of relevant technologies. While there is an oversupply of lithium and nickel, the shortages of copper and cobalt will intensify.
Long - term (after 2030): Deep - sea mining, hydrogen - based steelmaking, and the circular economy will become the mainstream. However, bottlenecks in cost - effectiveness and environmental protection technologies need to be overcome.
II. Application Logic of Demolition Robots
1. What are the applications of demolition robots in the mining industry?
Application Scenarios
Solved Problems
Profit
Deep Mining of Thin Ore Veins
Manual operations in confined spaces pose high risks
Labor costs decreased by 60%, and accident rates dropped by 80%
Secondary Crushing
Explosives are costly and cause significant pollution
Material costs decreased by 90%, and operational continuity increased by 40%
Mine Rehabilitation
Cleaning old mines is inefficient and dangerous
Labor force decreased by 44%, and monthly advancement speed increased by 100%
Shaft Maintenance
Risks of Manual Work at Height
Maintenance cycle shortened by several months
Equipment Recycling
Difficulties in Clearing Obstacles after Disasters
Equipment recycling efficiency increased by 30%
2.Why use demolition robots?
The core driving forces for applying demolition robots in mines stem from four critical needs:
▪ Safety: Remote operation to avoid dangers and adapt to harsh environments.
▪ Efficiency: Strong power, no blind spots, and the ability to operate continuously.
▪ Environmental Protection: Dual power sources for silent operation and low emissions.
▪ Technology: Multi-functional capabilities to adapt to complex working conditions, realizing the substitution of high-risk operations and technological upgrading.
3. How are demolition robots used?
Demolition robots are widely used in the mining industry due to their high-intensity demolition, remote control and automation advantages. In mining, they are used for secondary crushing of rocks in open-pit mines and excavation of underground mine tunnels; in infrastructure construction, they can demolish abandoned facilities such as old factories; in rescue scenarios, they can complete tasks such as pipeline equipment maintenance and landslide accident clearance to ensure safe and efficient operation of mines.
III.Technical features and evaluation
What are the key technical features of the demolition robot?
The demolition robot takes "strong power + high intelligence + full adaptability" as its technical core, integrates multiple technologies to replace manual labor in high-risk scenarios, and will upgrade to "fully autonomous decision-making + cloud collaboration" in the future:
• High-intensity power and execution: A high-power density hydraulic system controlled by a plunger pump and a proportional valve, combined with dynamic load-sensitive technology, adjusts flow on demand; the actuator is modular, with a well-known brand hydraulic hammer as standard, and also integrates hydraulic shears, cutting saws and other tools to achieve multi-functional operations.
• All-terrain mobility and stability: The crawler chassis is independently driven by dual motors, with a climbing slope of more than 30° and an obstacle crossing of more than 30cm; it uses lightweight materials such as aluminum alloy to reduce weight by 40%; with the help of gyroscopes and inclination sensors, it intelligently distributes torque to adjust the crawler power to ensure stability in complex terrain operations.
• Intelligent control and remote operation: The working arm can be flexibly controlled to complete delicate operations; it supports 2km remote control and is combined with video surveillance; it integrates multidisciplinary technologies and has extended functions such as environmental perception and path planning to improve the level of intelligence.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of demolition robots?
Demolition robots have broken through scene limitations with their technological advantages, but they also face development bottlenecks. Its remote control combined with explosion-proof design can keep personnel away from high-risk environments. The motor power is environmentally friendly and quiet, with a battery life of more than 8 hours, and the operating efficiency is 3 times that of manual labor; modular tools and all-terrain tracks are adapted to the needs of multiple scenarios in mines. However, the transmission delay of 50-100ms of underground 5G signals affects operational response, and the price of 500,000 to 1 million yuan and professional maintenance requirements put pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises to purchase. Although "safety and efficiency" meets the rigid needs of mines, intelligence and cost issues still restrict popularization. With the iteration of technology, it is expected that its penetration rate in mines will increase from 15% to 40% in 2030, and it is expected to become mainstream equipment.
3. How do demolition robots benefit us?
Demolition robots, with their remote control, safety and multifunctional features, bring multiple benefits to mines: remote control keeps personnel away from high-risk environments, motor drive is environmentally friendly and has no exhaust gas, and can go deep into dangerous places during emergency rescue; 24-hour continuous operation, modular tools adapt to complex terrain, and reduce resource waste; reduce labor and equipment costs, no fuel and exhaust gas treatment costs, and extend the mining cycle; collaborate with intelligent systems, data optimization solutions, in line with the trend of smart mines, and help enterprises obtain policy support.
4. The smallest demolition robot
Demoltion robot HCR70D produced by Anhui Hitech Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. is the smallest demolition robot. It can pass through narrow doorways and can be transported by general passenger elevators to enter small spaces for demolition work. It is driven by an electric motor, has flexible movement, low noise and no emissions. It can replace humans to perform all-round, long-distance controlled crushing, shearing, demolition and other operations in dangerous and harsh environments such as toxic (polluted), flammable, explosive, prone to collapse, and strong radiation.
Main technical parameters
Slewing speed
7s/240°
Transport speed,max.
2.4km/h
Incline angle,max.
30°
Output
7.5kW
Range,radio
100m
Weight of machine excluding attachment
750kg
Recommended attachment weight
105kg
IV Future trends and market practices
1. Can demolition robots replace human labor in the future?
Demolition robots are transforming the traditional demolition industry, but "completely replacing human labor" is still difficult to achieve. The core lies in "collaborative upgrading":
Current applications: It has achieved rigid demand replacement in high-risk scenarios such as nuclear power plants and hazardous chemical plants to ensure life safety; through continuous operation and precise demolition, it reduces dust pollution and improves efficiency.
Technology trends: AI enables autonomous decision-making and plans the demolition sequence; modular design and multiple power sources are adapted to multi-scenario tasks.
Market drivers: Safety needs, rising labor costs and policies drive market growth, and the global scale is expected to reach US$2.5 billion in 2030.
Challenges and limitations: Poor adaptability to complex environments, expensive equipment, difficulty in worker transformation and social resistance restrict the process of completely replacing human labor.
2. What is the price range of demolition robots?
The price of demolition robots varies depending on factors such as brand, model, function, and configuration.
The domestic price is generally around RMB 350,000-1.5 million
The foreign price is generally around RMB 750,000-2 million
3. What brands/models of demolition robots are currently on the market?
Anhui Hitech HCR120D and other 9 series: motor-driven, compact body, wireless remote control, and adaptable to high temperature and dusty environments.
Husqvarna DXR series (such as DXR95, DXR145): compact model, high motor power, suitable for narrow spaces and steep slopes.
Brokk500: upgraded version, equipped with SmartPower system, demolition radius of 7 meters, suitable for multi-scenario operations.
4. How will the demand for demolition robots in the mining industry change in the future?
Quantitative forecast of future demand for mining demolition robots: The global market size will be US$2.8 billion in 2025 and US$7.5 billion in 2030, with a CAGR of 21.8%, and China's share will rise to 45%. In 2030, open-pit mining robot demolition will account for 60%, and the penetration rate of underground mine high-risk scenarios will exceed 80%, and ordinary scenarios will be 40%.
In short, demolition robots have become an indispensable part of modern mining. They combine safety, efficiency and technological innovation to promote sustainable and efficient resource mining.