This week, our team is attending the International Mine Water Association (IMWA) Conference, one of the most important international forums dedicated to mine water management, post-mining challenges, and sustainable mining practices. At this event, UNEXMIN Georobotics Ltd. is proudly represented by our Managing Director, Richard Z. Papp, together with our Chief Engineer, Máté Koba, as we share our experience and latest technological developments with the global professional community.
I am particularly excited to be giving a presentation titled “Autonomous Robotic Exploration in Flooded Mines.” In this talk, I will present the full development journey of our UX series autonomous underwater exploration robots, from their original concept to their current state-of-the-art implementation. The presentation will highlight how these robotic platforms have evolved to meet the extreme technical and environmental challenges posed by flooded and inaccessible underground mine systems.
A central part of the presentation focuses on the Horizon Europe MINE.IO project (https://mineio-horizon.eu/), within which significant robotics research and development activities are currently ongoing. In close collaboration with INESC TEC, we are advancing key robotic capabilities such as autonomous navigation in complex underground geometries, robust localization without GNSS, advanced sensor integration, intelligent mission planning, and automated data processing. These developments are essential for enabling long-duration, reliable, and safe robotic operations in environments where human access is impossible or extremely hazardous.
Our autonomous robotic systems are redefining what is technically feasible in flooded mine exploration, allowing for the collection of high-quality geometric, geophysical, and environmental data while minimizing operational risk. During the presentation, I will share real-life examples from field deployments, demonstrating how these robots have already been successfully used in operational conditions and how the newly developed robotic solutions under the MINE.IO project further extend their capabilities.
Beyond the technical aspects, the conference offers an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas with researchers, innovators, regulators, and industry professionals working at the intersection of mining, water management, robotics, and environmental protection. These discussions are essential for shaping the future of sustainable mine closure, post-mining land use, and data-driven decision-making.
I am very much looking forward to connecting with colleagues and partners from around the world. Let’s dive deep into the future of autonomous robotics and mine water exploration.