Sandvik Future of Mining 2026 Showcases AI and Digital Twin for Surface Operations

Industry Milestone: Global Mining Leaders Gather in Tampere for Future of Mining 2026

Sandvik brought together mining leaders from around the world in Tampere, Finland, from September 1 to 2, 2026, for its annual Future of Mining customer event. The gathering convened senior representatives from leading mining companies and contractors—including AngloGold Ashanti, Boliden, Codelco, Freeport, Glencore, and LKAB—alongside Sandvik experts to explore how electrification, automation, digitalisation, and AI are being applied across increasingly integrated mining operations. The main programme featured a full-day conference at Nokia Arena with customer presentations and panel discussions covering zero-entry mining, electrification, digital transformation, and the future of surface operations. Patrick Murphy, President of Mining at Sandvik, noted that the event provides an opportunity to bring customers together not only to discuss where mining is heading, but to experience the technologies helping take it there. Following the conference, attendees visited Sandvik‘s Underground Test Mine, Surface Test Pit, and rock drill factory to see the latest technologies in operation. While such integrated automation platforms represent significant engineering achievements, OCP Mechanical Company recognises that not every operation requires the scale or investment associated with these advanced systems. With over 40 years of experience, we offer practical, cost-effective crushing solutions tailored to medium-capacity operations, backed by factory-direct pricing and round-the-clock technical support.

Deswik NOVA: Simplifying Integrated Surface Mine Planning

A centrepiece of the event was the introduction of Deswik NOVA, a new surface mine planning solution designed to help mining companies simplify increasingly complex planning workflows by bringing mining, blending, and haulage together in a single integrated environment. As surface mining operations become more data-intensive and interconnected, planning teams face increasing pressure to evaluate more scenarios, balance competing priorities, and make faster, more informed decisions. NOVA addresses these challenges through a guided workflow that connects key planning decisions from pit to product, reducing planning friction and improving visibility across the planning process. Glenn Wylde, CTO at Deswik, explained that surface mine planning has become more interconnected, more data-intensive, and more demanding. “NOVA addresses this complexity by connecting each stage of the planning process, giving planners greater visibility across their operation and helping them make better-informed decisions”. Designed in close collaboration with mining customers, NOVA is straightforward to adopt and helps planning teams improve scenario analysis, work more consistently and transparently, and spend less time managing disconnected workflows. Riku Pulli, President of Digital Mining Technologies at Sandvik, said NOVA represents another step in delivering integrated digital solutions for the mining industry, helping customers connect planning and execution across the mining value chain.

AutoMine and Digital Twin: Connecting Equipment, Operations, and Decision-Making

The event showcased how Sandvik‘s AutoMine® platform and digital twin technologies are increasingly connecting planning, equipment, operations, and decision-making across the mining value chain. Live AutoMine demonstrations highlighted the platform’s capabilities in autonomous drilling and loading, with integrated digital workflows using Deswik and AutoMine enabling seamless data flow from planning through execution. The integration of AutoMine with Deswik’s planning software allows mines to model equipment compatibility and infrastructure requirements before committing capital expenditure, reducing risk and improving project outcomes. This end-to-end digital stack spans from autonomous drilling hardware through to integrated surface mine planning software, creating a continuously updated digital twin that mirrors the physical operation and enables predictive analytics and simulation. For quarry operators and mining companies, this level of integration means that every tonne of material can be tracked from the pit face through the crushing circuit to final product dispatch, with real-time adjustments made to optimise throughput, energy consumption, and product quality.

AI-Powered Autonomous Drilling: The Sami Concept Machine

Sandvik also unveiled its latest fully autonomous, battery-electric surface drilling concept at the event, demonstrated under the persona “Sami”. Built on a boom-drill platform with no operator cabin, Sami carries its drill bits, collar pipes, and hammers onboard, while a robotic tool performs bit changes, installs collar pipes, and replaces hammers. It can measure hole depth and deviation after drilling, navigate through mine environments, and distinguish between dynamic and stationary obstacles. The concept is managed through Sandi, Sandvik’s AI agent, which assigns drilling tasks across the broader fleet while Sami autonomously plans and executes its work cycle. Operators interact with Sandi using natural language, intervening only when human judgement is required. Riku Pulli noted that by combining AI, autonomy, and a continuously updated digital twin, Sandvik is moving from optimising individual assets to optimising the entire mining operation. This concept represents a significant step toward the next generation of safer, more productive, and increasingly autonomous surface mines.

What This Means for the Crushing and Screening Sector

The intelligent surface mining technologies showcased at Future of Mining 2026 have direct implications for the crushing and screening sector. As mining operations become more automated and data-driven, the demand for compatible crushing equipment that can integrate with central control systems, provide real-time performance data, and support predictive maintenance is accelerating. Modern jaw crushers, cone crushers, and impact crushers are increasingly equipped with PLC-based monitoring systems that track motor load, bearing temperature, power draw, and liner wear in real time. This data feeds into centralised platforms where operators can optimise throughput, schedule maintenance proactively, and maintain consistent product quality. The shift toward unmanned crushing stations—with automated material level detection, intelligent start-stop speed control, and remote operation—is accelerating. Equipment that cannot integrate with these systems will rapidly become obsolete. OCP Mechanical Company‘s crushing and screening equipment is engineered for compatibility with modern monitoring and control platforms, with optional packages that provide real-time performance data for predictive maintenance and process optimisation. Product specifications are continuously updated; please consult our online customer service for the latest technical parameters tailored to your application.

OCP Mechanical Company: Factory-Direct Solutions for the Intelligent Mining Era

While major suppliers continue to advance AI, automation, and digital solutions, OCP Mechanical Company remains focused on delivering reliable, cost-effective equipment for the mid-tier market. With over 40 years of manufacturing experience and exports to more than 180 countries and regions worldwide, we have earned a reputation for durability, performance, and value. Our product range includes jaw crushers, cone crushers, impact crushers, VSI crushers, vibrating screens, feeders, and complete crushing and screening plants—all brand-new and built to rigorous quality standards. Our equipment is engineered for compatibility with modern monitoring and control systems, with optional packages that provide real-time performance data for predictive maintenance and process optimisation. As a direct factory manufacturer, we eliminate distributor margins, passing the savings directly to you. All price information provided is for reference only; final quotes depend on equipment configuration, shipping terms, optional features, and current exchange rates. Our engineering team works closely with each customer to design custom stone crusher plants that match specific site conditions, feed characteristics, and production targets—ensuring your equipment is ready for the intelligent mining era. Product specifications are continuously updated; please consult our online customer service for the latest technical parameters tailored to your application.

Your Next Step: Get a Custom Quote for Your Operation

The Future of Mining 2026 event confirmed what industry leaders have long anticipated: the future of surface mining is connected, automated, and increasingly intelligent. Deswik NOVA, AutoMine integration, and the Sami concept machine demonstrate how AI, digital twins, and autonomous systems are transforming how mines are planned, operated, and optimised. However, the foundation of any successful mining operation remains reliable, high-performance crushing and screening equipment. OCP Mechanical Company offers factory-direct, high-quality crushing and screening solutions engineered for durability, energy efficiency, and low total cost of ownership—all at competitive prices. Our online customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide free consultations, updated price references, and equipment selection guidance. Click the chat button now to discuss your project with a specialist—we are ready to help you build a more efficient and profitable processing operation.