Utilising advanced analytics, the Connected Mine can help mining companies collect and aggregate data to gain end-to-end visibility into their operations and make informed business decisions to improve mining operations.

Accordingly, the company said, mining companies benefit from improved visibility of processes, equipment performance and supply chain for smarter business decisions.

Fabio Mielli, market development manager at Rockwell Automation, said: "One mining company improved production at a mine site by almost 15% by implementing a simulator that provides operators real-time recovery targets that are automatically updated based on ever-changing feed grades.

"The Connected Mine concept provides our global mining customers with the digital infrastructure needed to tap into exciting new technologies for optimised operations."

The Connected Mine covers all areas of mining operations, including extraction (connecting and automating mobile assets and mine infrastructure); process management and optimisation (automation, control and optimisation of mineral processes); material handling (improvements through smart machines like hoists, conveyors and stacker reclaimers); mine electrification (seamless integration of power distribution); asset performance (machine learning and scalable applications that monitor performance); worker safety and efficiency (real-time mobility and augmented-reality tools); and mine-to-market integration (powerful analytics platform for full visibility of the business).

Rockwell Automation said the Connected Mine is built on application expertise, alliances with best-in-class system integrators, equipment manufacturers and technology providers with strong execution capabilities.