Mining Finland member company Normet is strengthening its position in autonomous underground mining through two major developments: the opening of a new Technology Center in Pirkkala, Finland, and a five-year technology development partnership with Chilean copper producer Codelco.
The initiatives highlight how Finnish mining technology expertise is contributing to safer, more efficient, and increasingly autonomous underground operations worldwide.
Five-Year Partnership to Advance Autonomous Mining in Chile
Normet and Codelco, one of the world’s largest copper producers, have launched a five-year technology development programme focused on autonomous and remotely operated underground mining solutions.
The collaboration will involve technology pilots at Codelco’s El Teniente mine in Chile, one of the world’s largest underground copper mining operations.
The programme focuses on three key areas:
- Autonomous concrete transport and spraying, using onboard artificial intelligence, environment mapping, and advanced perception systems.
- Remotely operated scaling, applying advanced mapping and extended reality technologies to improve safety.
- Autonomous stationary breaker operations, supporting continuous rock flow and operational efficiency.
As underground mines become deeper and operating conditions more demanding, these technologies aim to reduce workers’ exposure to hazardous environments while improving productivity and operational continuity.
New Technology Center Strengthens Finnish Innovation
Supporting these developments is Normet’s newly opened Technology Center in Pirkkala, Finland, dedicated to research, development, and testing of advanced underground mining technologies.
The facility brings together expertise in autonomy, robotics, software development, and digital technologies. It will also provide a dedicated environment for customer demonstrations, including tele-remote operations, autonomous functions, and battery-electric equipment.
Development work related to the Codelco pilots will take place at the Pirkkala center before the technologies are tested in production conditions at El Teniente.
The investment reinforces Finland’s position as an important hub for mining technology innovation. Pirkkala’s proximity to Tampere’s industrial and research ecosystem provides access to expertise in electrified mobile machinery, automation, and advanced engineering.
Normet, which generates more than 95% of its revenue outside Finland, continues to expand its international operations while investing in Finnish research and technology development.
Finnish Expertise Supporting the Future of Underground Mining
Together, these developments demonstrate the growing international relevance of Finnish mining technologies.
By combining research and development in Finland with real-world technology pilots in Chile, Normet is advancing solutions to some of the underground mining industry’s most pressing challenges.
The collaboration also highlights the importance of international partnerships in accelerating innovation and bringing new technologies into demanding mining environments.
For Mining Finland’s member network, Normet’s developments offer a strong example of how Finnish industrial expertise and international collaboration can contribute to the future of global mining.
Normet is a Mining Finland member company headquartered in Finland, employing over 2,000 professionals across more than 30 countries. The company develops technologies and solutions for underground mining, tunnelling, and civil engineering.
Learn more: Normet