ERG implements AI technology at Kazakhstan operations

The company is the first in Kazakhstan to deploy driverless vehicles for mining operations. By adopting autonomous technologies, ERG aims to reshape mining industry dynamics in Central Asia and contribute to mining's next chapter through cutting-edge innovations.

ERG's autonomous dump trucks at its Vostochny opencast coal mine have already transported over two million t of mined rock, completing 17 000 unmanned trips and covering 68 000 km, which are controlled remotely via a private 5G network from Kazakhstan telecom provider Kcell.

ERG's senior officials presented these technologies to Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the recent AlmatyFair.ai exhibition.

Shukhrat Ibragimov, Group CEO of ERG and Chairman of the Board, said:

"Leading our industry into a digital future means taking firm tech decisions and implementing advances ourselves. As a mining and metals leader, our vision is to be a modern, progress-driven business. Our goal is to increase the volume of rock mass transported using robotic cargo systems by 115 million t by 2027.”

The new technology allows one operator to supervise three driverless trucks simultaneously using the Kcell network, which currently provides 10 Gbit/s bandwidth and 1 msec. latency. At the same time, another engineer works side by side to oversee maintenance and logistics.

Serik Shakhazhanov, the CEO of ERG Kazakhstan, said:

"We are the first in Kazakhstan to launch unmanned dump trucks. We have also started to fill new positions within the company, such as autonomous truck operators.

"It takes only two people to operate autonomous machinery. As the operator (the former driver who has gone through a professional retraining programme) monitors the speed, path, and safety of the movement of the vehicles, the service engineer carries out maintenance, plans the routes, and provides up-to-date information on loading and unloading sites.”

The AI algorithms that control the automated dump trucks working in coordination with operational teams, help minimise risks, elevate safety standards, and enable greater precision and higher extraction output.

ERG's Manufacturing Execution System (MES) uses generative AI to monitor over 7000 real-time operational parameters. It features an AI digital assistant named MES Alina, which generates automated reports and retrieves equipment performance data.

The MES is already operational at several ERG sites, including the Aktobe Ferroalloys Plant, Kazakhstan Aluminium Smelter, and Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Bauxite Mining Unit.

Further MES deployment is planned at the Aksu Ferroalloys Plant and the Donskoy GOK, with additional rollout scheduled for the Sokolov-Sarbai Mining Production Association (SSGPO) iron ore by the end of 2025.

These proprietary technologies, continuously developed by ERG's IT subsidiary Business and Technology Services, are expected to materially reduce operating expenses and enhance profitability for ERG's mining operations.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/technology-digitalisation/23042025/erg-implements-ai-technology-at-kazakhstan-operations/