Digital underground

While perhaps not regarded as ‘mission critical’ in the same way as more public-facing sectors such as community safety or air travel, mining still takes place in a dangerous environment, where mishaps can easily lead to disaster.

This danger lies in the nature of the work, which in the case of underground mining often takes place hundreds of metres below the surface. One of the most well-known incidents that serves to highlight its dangers was the plight of the 33 Chilean miners who became trapped half a mile under the earth and rock following a cave-in at a copper and gold installation in 2010.

Certain features of modern mining technology coupled with the sheer scale of the endeavour have also increased the vigilance required on the part of those who make their living underground. In a disagreement between a human being and a 300-tonne haulage vehicle, after all, there is only going to be one winner.