Mariana Minerals and Sandvik Launch Autonomous Drilling Integration at Copper One Mine
Mariana Minerals and Sandvik Deploy Autonomous Drilling System at Copper One Mine to Advance Smart Mining in the US
Mariana Minerals and Sandvik have formed a strategic partnership to deploy autonomous drilling technology at Mariana’s Copper One mine in southeastern Utah, United States.
The initiative aims to advance fully automated mining operations by integrating Sandvik’s AutoMine Surface Drilling platform directly into MarianaOS, Mariana’s proprietary mining software system.
Rather than operating as a standalone solution, AutoMine is now embedded within Mariana’s broader digital ecosystem.
This integration connects drilling operations with overall mine planning, enabling a continuous flow of operational, machine, and geological data into MarianaOS to support real-time decision-making across the site.
The system captures drill performance data, machine telemetry, and subsurface geological information, which is then used to improve blasting strategies, material transport, equipment maintenance, and production planning.
This creates a feedback loop where drilling results directly enhance subsequent operational decisions.
Mariana Minerals CEO Turner Caldwell described the shift as a move beyond automation toward true autonomy.
According to him, integrating drilling into the core operating system allows the mine not only to execute plans but also to continuously refine and improve them through data-driven insights.
The transition also changes on-site operations significantly. Instead of manually operating machinery, workers increasingly supervise coordinated, software-driven fleets.
This evolution introduces new technical roles focused on system optimization, data integrity, and operational efficiency, while allowing teams to focus more on strategic oversight.
The partnership comes at a time when the United States imports roughly 50% of its refined copper, with demand expected to double by 2035 due to electrification and technological growth.
Mariana Minerals and Sandvik aim to support domestic supply by accelerating the development of highly efficient, technology-driven mining operations.
Sandvik Mining President Mats Eriksson stated that the integration of AutoMine with MarianaOS enhances both safety and productivity while improving operational insight. He emphasized that the collaboration is expected to significantly increase efficiency at the Copper One site.
This development follows Sandvik’s recent launch of the DD423i, a next-generation automated underground drilling rig, further reinforcing the company’s expansion in advanced mining automation technologies.
