This article explores some new markets
Although mining accidents overall are on the decline, a troubling trend shows fatalities are still prevalent enough to warrant attention.
Last year, there were 11 fatalities in the Australian mining industry, as reported by SafeWork Australia, nearly double that of last year’s six. The USA Mine Safety and Health Administration has reported 10 fatalities from 3rd January to 5th March, over triple the number for the same period last year. In March, five people perished in a coal mine explosion in Spain. Eurostat found the highest incidence of fatal accidents at work in the EU was observed in mining and quarrying in 2022.
Aid from AI
With the recent surge in AI technology, safety features have the potential to develop rapidly and in unique ways, anticipating dangerous events and even learning on the job.
Real-time surveillance can help to identify potential hazards and equipment upgrade requirements before accidents occur. Unstable structures, gas leaks, exposed electrical wires, inconsistent traffic flow, loose rocks, temperature changes and tremors are all hazards that could be identified using AI.
Collision prevention
As usual, safety was a significant topic of discussion at Bauma 2025, where mining industry players gathered in Munich to explore some of the latest developments for safe and smart equipment.
Safety solutions company Brigade Electronics featured its range of safety equipment at the April show.
“Brigade’s mission since 1976 has been to prevent collisions and save lives, and as shown by statistics, the construction and mining industries need considerable input to maintain safe sites,” said Brigade regional director Maurizio Cagno.
“All our products are rigorously tested to withstand harsh working environments, enabling operators to drive with confidence.”
Brigade’s Backeye 360 was one item on display, featuring multiple high-resolution view options, including a 360-degree view with four cameras. These cameras provide a bird’s eye view of a vehicle in operation to eliminate blind spots and warn drivers verbally and visually when a person is detected in the vehicle’s path.
Additionally, Brigade’s AI camera and Backsense Radar Detection was showcased. Brigade’s AI camera has been trained to recognise people based on algorithms, reducing the number of false positives when warning the driver of a risk of collision. The camera is suitable for the harsh weather and terrain associated with mining, as it is protected against the ingress of dust, high temperatures and high-pressure water.
A smart series from Develon
Another organisation focusing on safety at Bauma 2025 was safety solutions company equipment manufacturer Develon which unveiled its Smart Crawler excavators. The Develon 9 Series includes safety features such as virtual fences, these create a digital boundary around the machine, preventing it from moving beyond a specified limit, they also prevent potential problems with user error or machine malfunctions.
Another safety feature of the smart crawlers is the Smart Around View Monitor, which is an AI-based object detection system using cameras, radar sensors and machine learning to provide a 360-degree view of the machine’s surroundings.
Develon’s Transparent Bucket 2.0 was also launched at the Bauma show. The bucket, which increases visibility, is now equipped with object detection and object recognition to help prevent accidents.
For more information visit: www.develon.com and www.brigade-electronics.com
