Integration of autonomous robotic material handling for enhanced safety in Zimbabwean platinum mining: A case study of mimosa mine

Despite significant investments in mechanization and infrastructure, platinum mining operations in Zimbabwe, especially at Mimosa Mine, continue to experience major safety issues associated with manual material handling. Frequent incidents such as winch rope entanglement, equipment collisions, and rockfalls during stope cleaning have resulted in fatalities, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety interventions. While autonomous solutions like robotic loaders and sensor-based geofencing have been shown to reduce accidents by up to 50% in international contexts, these technologies have yet to be widely implemented in Zimbabwe's underground platinum mining sector. This research paper develops an autonomous robotic material handling system tailored for the underground environment at Mimosa Mine, aiming to address critical safety risks and improve operational efficiency in high-risk activities. By focusing on automation of hazardous tasks and aligning with sustainability objectives, the proposed system provides a scalable approach to reducing human exposure to dangerous conditions and enhancing productivity. The study's outcomes highlight the transformative potential of autonomous systems for mining safety in Zimbabwe, while also recognizing ongoing operational challenges, such as power instability and fragmented supply chains.