On Tuesday, March 3, from 2:00 to 2:45 pm, industry leaders will gather on the Ground Breakers Stage at CONEXPO‑CON/AGG to explore challenges facing quarry and mining operations today. Companies will discuss solutions to improve safety, maintain productivity and build a more sustainable workforce. Epiroc, joined by customer partner Luck Stone, will lead a discussion on how autonomy and remote technologies are being used to address these pressures in practical, real‑world ways.
Once viewed as future‑focused concepts, automation and remote operations are increasingly being applied to day‑to‑day operations. Labor shortages, exposure to high‑risk environments and the need for greater consistency are forcing companies to rethink traditional workflows. The session, Designing Autonomy Around People: The Future of Remote Mining and Quarry Operations, examines how technology can help solve these challenges while keeping people at the center of the operation.
With roots dating back to 1873, Epiroc brings a long‑term perspective shaped by decades of working alongside customers as operations evolve. Today, that evolution includes autonomy, digital solutions and data driven insights designed to support safer, more resilient operations.
Having recently celebrated 100 years in business, Luck Stone approaches technology adoption with a philosophy focused on doing work in the best way possible. Senior Director of Engineering Chuck Stilson says the partnership with Epiroc is “aligning perfectly with that vision” because autonomous technology is “not only improving productivity and safety, but also providing new opportunities for our associates and rethinking what’s possible in aggregates.”
Autonomous drilling and remote solutions are developed to improve consistency, reduce operational risk and support productivity without disrupting daily workflows.
The Operational Pressures Driving Change
Across the industry, shifting operator demographics are pushing quarry and mining companies to do more with fewer personnel. Repetitive tasks, hazardous environments and manual processes create risk and limit efficiency. These pressures are driving companies to look for solutions that reduce exposure while improving visibility and control.
Autonomous drilling systems, remote operations and connected digital platforms are helping address these challenges. By shifting machine control from the field into centralized control rooms, operators can manage multiple machines from safer, more controlled environments. Real‑time data improves situational awareness and supports faster, more informed decision making.
Turning Technology into Practical Progress
For Epiroc, autonomy is not positioned as a single solution or a complete overhaul. Instead, it is an integrated approach designed to fit within existing operations and scale over time. Autonomous drilling and remote solutions are developed to improve consistency, reduce operational risk and support productivity without disrupting daily workflows.
“Autonomy in quarries is no longer a future vision. It is a present‑day reality delivering meaningful operational gains,” says Ron Hankins, Vice President and Business Line Manager at Epiroc. “The focus is on applying technology in ways that improve safety, maintain continuity and help operations use their people more effectively.”
Designing Solutions Around People
Concerns about the impact of automation on the workforce remain common. When designed around people, autonomous systems take on repetitive and high‑risk tasks, allowing operators to move into roles focused on oversight, optimization and decision support. Interoperable digital platforms connect machines, sites and remote offices into a unified operation, supporting greater visibility, new skill development and long‑term career growth.
“Automation does not remove people from the process,” Hankins explains. “It changes the nature of their work. When implemented thoughtfully, it creates safer conditions and opens the door to higher value roles focused on performance and continuous improvement.”
Why This Conversation Matters Now
By the end of the session, attendees are encouraged to leave with clear answers to two questions: Why automation? and Why automation now? Whether attending in person or tuning in via live stream, the Ground Breakers Stage conversation will offer a practical look at how autonomy is already helping to solve real challenges while preparing the industry for what comes next.
