The Challenge

Traditional inspection methods present several limitations:

• Partial coverage across large and distributed assets
• Exposure of personnel to high-risk areas
• Difficulty detecting early-stage failures through visual inspection alone
• Limited traceability and lack of standardization across inspection campaigns
• Risk of undetected anomalies evolving into high-impact failures

Operations required a solution capable of systematically inspecting large distances, generating objective data on asset condition, and supporting maintenance decisions with field-based evidence.

The Solution

Godelius developed an autonomous conveyor belt inspection system that combines robotics, advanced sensing technologies, and artificial intelligence to perform scheduled robotic inspections under real operating conditions.

The solution integrates:

• Robotic platforms designed for both underground and surface mining environments
• Multimodal data acquisition using visual, thermal, and acoustic sensors
• AI-based analytics to detect early visible, thermal, and mechanical anomalies
• Automated data processing and reporting to ensure traceability and prioritization of findings

The system can be adapted to different operational strategies, ranging from weekly inspections to multiple inspections per day, depending on process criticality and client requirements.

Scope and Results

To date, this solution has enabled, in one of our operations:

• Over 1,000 km of conveyor belts inspected
• More than 16 conveyors assessed across operational campaigns
• Over 3,400 anomalies detected
• More than 900 findings classified as critical
• Over 95% average weekly coverage

The combination of visual, thermal, and acoustic analysis allows for the detection of multiple types of events, including out-of-spec components, rollers with abnormal thermal behaviour, and early signs of mechanical failure. This improves inspection coverage, increases repeatability, and reduces personnel exposure to hazardous environments.

Operational Impact

Beyond replacing manual inspections, the system transforms inspection into a traceable, repeatable, and data-driven process. This enables:

• Improved maintenance prioritization
• Earlier identification of risk conditions
• Standardization across inspection campaigns
• Strengthened operational continuity for critical assets

With this approach, Godelius integrates robotics and artificial intelligence to turn field data into actionable operational decisions.

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Anglo American is one of the world’s leading mining companies, with operations across Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Their Los Bronces operation in Chile is a large-scale open-pit copper and molybdenum mine located in the Andes Mountains at over 3,500 metres above sea level. As part of their commitment to innovation and safety, Anglo American continuously explores technologies that enhance operational visibility, minimize risk to personnel, and improve decision-making.

The Challenge

Anglo American needed a reliable and efficient solution to inspect critical underground assets in the Los Bronces mine, such as confined spaces with limited visibility or areas affected by geotechnical instability.

The key requirements included:

• Remote inspection capabilities in restricted or hazardous zones
• High-resolution visual data acquisition
• Autonomous or semi-autonomous navigation
• Minimal disruption to existing mine operations
• Operation at high altitude with variable lighting and rough terrain

Traditional inspection methods required personnel to enter unsafe areas, relying on visual estimation or static cameras, posing significant safety risks and limiting data quality.

The Solution

SK Godelius designed and deployed a robotic inspection system specifically tailored for underground infrastructure. The solution was based on a tracked robotic platform capable of navigating uneven surfaces, with a modular design that allowed for the integration of various sensors and payloads.

Key Technical Features:

• HD and thermal imaging cameras for real-time inspection and anomaly detection
• 360° panoramic vision system with lighting adaptation for low-light environments
• Laser rangefinders for mapping narrow corridors and obstacle avoidance
• Wireless communication module integrated with Los Bronces’ underground network (including leaky feeder)
• Semi-autonomous control system with manual override, allowing for remote intervention from a surface-level operations centre
• Ruggedized platform rated for harsh conditions and long operation time

The robot provided key data, recorded footage for post-inspection analysis, and geo-referenced data to support maintenance planning and operational decisions.

Outcome:

• Successful remote inspection of critical underground assets with no human entry
• Improved safety by removing personnel from high-risk zones
• Enhanced operational insight through detailed visual and thermal data
• Flexible deployment model for other Anglo American operations with similar needs

The project with Los Bronces reflects SK Godelius’ mission to develop robotic systems that protect people while improving operational performance, especially in the most extreme and complex environments of the mining sector.

The post Development of Underground Inspection System appeared first on SK Godelius.

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is one of the world’s leading intergovernmental astronomy organizations, operating some of the most advanced ground-based observatories globally. The Paranal Astronomical Observatory, located in northern Chile, is home to the Very Large Telescope (VLT), one of the most powerful optical telescope systems ever built.

The VLT plays a critical role in advancing our understanding of the universe, requiring engineering systems that operate with extreme levels of precision, continuity, and reliability.

The Challenge

At the core of each VLT unit is the azimuth cable wrap system, responsible for continuously managing the supply of power, data, optical fibres, and cooling systems as the telescope rotates during operation.

This system must meet strict mechanical and operational requirements, ensuring:

• Continuous rotation without interruption
• Precise handling of highly sensitive connections
• Zero tolerance for failure, given the direct impact on scientific observations

ESO required an upgrade to the existing system to improve performance, reliability, and long-term operability, without compromising the integrity of its highly complex and mission-critical infrastructure.

The Solution

Godelius engineered and implemented a comprehensive upgrade of the azimuth cable wrap system on one of the VLT units, focused on enhancing performance while ensuring seamless integration with existing systems.

The solution included:

• Redesign and upgrade of critical mechanical components, improving durability and stability
• Precision engineering and alignment, ensuring smooth and continuous operation
• Integration with existing infrastructure, maintaining full operational compatibility
• Rigorous validation and testing, aligned with the high standards required for scientific applications

Every component of the system was designed to meet the extreme reliability and precision demands of astronomical observation.

Outcome

The upgraded system delivered measurable improvements in performance and operational reliability, supporting the continuous operation of one of the world’s most advanced telescopes.

Key outcomes included:

• Enhanced system stability and reliability
• Increased confidence in long-term operational performance
• Strengthened collaboration with ESO, leading to additional work on other telescope units

This project demonstrates Godelius’ capability to deliver high-precision engineering solutions in environments where performance is critical and failure is not an option.

From mining operations to world-class scientific infrastructure, we design and implement systems that operate with accuracy, reliability, and purpose.

The post Cable Wrap System Upgrade for the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at Paranal Observatory appeared first on SK Godelius.

SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile) is a global mining and chemical company, recognized as one of the world’s leading producers of lithium, specialty plant nutrients, iodine, and industrial chemicals. Its operations include critical logistics infrastructure, such as port facilities, where efficiency, safety, and reliability are essential.

The Challenge

At SQM’s port operations in the Port of Tocopilla, operating the ship loader arm is a critical activity for material handling. Traditionally, this task exposes operators to potentially hazardous conditions, including accessing the equipment cabin, working at height, and operating under adverse environmental conditions such as wind and rain.

SQM aimed to improve:

• Operator safety, by reducing direct exposure to operational risks
• Efficiency, by minimizing travel time to the equipment and improving working conditions
• Operational control, by providing operators with better tools to manage the process

The challenge was to enable the remote operation of a high-capacity ship loader arm while ensuring smooth control, real-time feedback, and high reliability under demanding conditions.

The Solution

Godelius designed and implemented a teleoperation system that allows the ship loader arm to be operated remotely from a safe and controlled environment.

The solution included:

• Remote operation station, replicating the operator interface with high fidelity
• Real-time video and data, providing full visibility and operational feedback
• Low-latency communication systems, ensuring precise and responsive control
• Integration with existing infrastructure, maintaining operational continuity

Prior to deployment, the system underwent a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at Godelius’ Robotics Development Center, where performance, safety, and reliability were validated under simulated operating conditions.

Results

The implementation enabled SQM to transition from a traditional operation to a remote-controlled system, achieving:

• Improved safety, by eliminating operator exposure to hazardous conditions
• Enhanced operational control, with more consistent and precise operation
• Increased reliability, through improved operating conditions

This project demonstrates how remote operation technologies can modernize critical industrial processes, combining human expertise with advanced engineering solutions to enhance safety and efficiency in real-world operations.

Picture: Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at Godelius’ Robotics Development Center

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NOMAD, developed in partnership with ERG, is a robotic system to autonomously drill, sample, store and analyze soil sampling for geological exploration. It was developed to operate in difficult landscapes, like those in Saudi Arabia, thanks to its advanced technology inspired by space exploration. Its special design includes a system that lets it move across rough terrain, sensors for quickly analyzing soil samples, and a powerful drill for collecting samples from deep underground. 

Challenges and Objectives: 

The main goal is to improve accuracy and efficiency in soil sampling. Traditional ways are usually slow, use a lot of resources, and can be risky for people. NOMAD works to speed up the sampling process, make it more precise, and make it safer.  

“Navigating the Kingdom’s complex terrain, with its extreme conditions and rugged landscapes, poses a core challenge for mineral explorers. The terrain in the areas tested comprised shallow cover over residual regolith and proved the suitability of implementing NOMAD in the region perfectly. The robot excelled in boosting operational efficiency by an astounding 400% compared to conventional manual exploration methods.” said Aaron Baensch, Head of ERG Technology Intelligence. Read the full ERG article here. 

NOMAD’s Advanced Features: 

• Innovative Navigation System: NOMAD is equipped with a cutting-edge all-wheel-drive system that provides exceptional mobility across diverse and challenging terrains, particularly in the demanding landscapes of Saudi Arabia. This semi-autonomous navigation system allows NOMAD to traverse uneven surfaces, steep inclines, and rocky areas, ensuring reliable and efficient sample collection in a variety of environments. 
• Multi-Sensor Platform for Rapid Analysis: One of NOMAD’s standout features is its integrated multi-sensor platform. This array includes sophisticated instruments capable of scanning soil samples quickly and accurately. The sensors are designed to analyze various aspects of the samples, such as their chemical composition and mineral content. This technology enables a comprehensive understanding of the geological conditions, facilitating more informed decision-making in exploration efforts.  
• Enhanced Drilling Capability: The rover boasts a powerful percussion soil drill that can penetrate up to 90 cm below the earth’s surface. This capability allows for deeper soil sampling, crucial for accessing and analyzing sub-surface mineral deposits. The efficient drilling mechanism of NOMAD significantly increases sample collection rates, achieving over 120 samples per day, a remarkable improvement over traditional manual sampling methods.  

Cutting-edge features enabling seamless sampling processes

Soil probe controls, soil storage gantry and waterproof casing:

Control panel for manual operation of the soil sampling probe:

3D Imaging System – AI Stereo Camera (above) and automotive grade LiDAR (below) to make a 3D model of the terrain in front of the rover:

High–speed soil probe – up to 200 grams in 30 seconds at a depth of 90 cm:

Soil sample discard chute – The first 30 centimeters are discarded to avoid surface contamination:

LiDAR on top of the rover maps the surrounding area for path-planning, and pneumatic conveyor (center) lifts soil from the ground to the sample storage sub-system:

Sample tray with individualized containers:

Sampling pod with approximately 200 grams of soil. Each pod contains soil from a single geographic location:

Wireless radio to connect to the base station, in case remote operation is required:

The innovative system developed by SK Godelius in partnership with ERG marks a significant leap in the field of geological exploration, harnessing the power of robotics, AI, and advanced technology to transform soil sampling processes. Whether your challenge lies in soil sampling or any other aspect of robotic systems and technology in mining, SK Godelius offers customized, cutting-edge solutions. 

Get in touch with SK Godelius to learn how we can help with your specific needs and improve your projects. Work with us to find the right solutions for your problems in mining and robotics. Contact us now to start making your projects better with new and efficient technologies. 

The post NOMAD’s Autonomous Soil Sampling: Revolutionizing Geological Exploration in Saudi Arabia appeared first on SK Godelius.

Codelco is a Chilean state-owned company that leads the world in copper production, driving the country’s development. Its reserves account for 6% of the global copper reserves. The company operates seven mining divisions: Chuquicamata, Ministro Hales, Radomiro Tomic, Gabriela Mistral, Salvador, Andina, El Teniente, as well as the Ventanas Smelter and Refinery.

Currently, the El Teniente Division is involved in a structural project aiming to deepen the exploitation of the El Teniente deposit, adding reserves estimated at approximately 2.000 billion tons, with an average copper grade of 0.86% and 220 ppm of molybdenum. This will enable the division to continue processing 137,000 tons of ore per day for over 50 years.

Challenge

In the world of underground mining, the loading and transfer chute is a vital component for block caving and panel caving operations.

Our mission was clear: develop an advanced Remote-Control System for Loading Chutes, a game-changing innovation that would enable remote opening of the discharge system through a masterful gate, expertly regulating the passage of valuable ore. But we didn’t stop there – our ingenious system also incorporates intelligent features that can detect overloads and other potential issues, ensuring seamless and efficient operations.

Solution

Codelco’s El Teniente Division has contracted SK Godelius for the development and implementation of a Loading Chute Remote Control System, which includes cabinets, control panels, CCTV cameras, sensors, sirens, beacons, overload detectors, lights, spare parts, and services. The project encompasses the following:

• Engineering services, including the provision of blueprints and technical information.
• Qualified personnel services for assembly supervision, commissioning, system startup, and testing.
• Training for maintenance and operation personnel at the buyer’s facility, including necessary technical documentation in Spanish and support materials.
• Configuration Acceptance Test (CAT), Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), and Technical Assistance for Site Acceptance Test (SAT).
• Preparation of material/equipment for export, transportation, and delivery of equipment and components under DDP terms to the buyer’s warehouse (site).
• Progress reports on engineering, manufacturing, delivery, and general status.
• Technical field assistance for assembly, preliminary testing, pre-operational, operational with load, and performance (ramp-up – startup) phases.

We are with you every step of the way

From preparing material and equipment for export to on-site technical field assistance during assembly, preliminary testing, pre-operational, operational with load, and performance phases – we are committed to your success.

Join us in shaping the future of underground and open-pit mining. Partner with SK Godelius, and let’s take your mining operations to new heights of excellence!

The post Development of an Underground Mining Loading Chute Remote Control System appeared first on SK Godelius.

Empty rail tank cars are brought into the sulphuric acid loading station. Once parked and secured beneath the acid loading ramp/bridge, the fill valve on the top of the rail tank car is manually unlocked with pipe wrenches and other hand tools. During this activity, accumulated pressure in the empty tank developed naturally due to temperature differences between the atmosphere and the sealed tank, can lead to an unsuspecting worker getting “sprayed” by residual acid that is released as a result of de-pressurization. Although all workers wear personal protective equipment, it creates the risk of exposure that can lead to acid burns.

Challenge

An unstructured scenario is identified due to the variety of wagons and how the robotic solution must approach each one. It is impossible to ensure the spatial location of the hatches and their components or shapes in advance. It imposes challenges such as:

• Manipulating different types of components, without human physical intervention, in unstructured environments.
• Components cannot be modified, and handmade manipulation must be allowed.
• Create a solution able to handle a wide variety of hatches models without modifying them.
• Develop a robust robotic solution envisioning the capability of working in acid environments and harsh weather conditions.

Solution

SK Godelius developed a solution based on a robotic arm that positions a tool capable of loosening and re-tightening the nuts that release the hatch cover.

1. A combined topographic-type altimetry system was developed with an artificial vision system based on a stereo-vision camera and the projection of a random pattern.
2. A digital twin model is built in real-time with the visual information of the environment and a digital model of the robot’s parts and the other equipment. It represents the environment and the systems involved.
3. A trajectory planner was developed that simulates various trajectories in the twin until a feasible and optimal one is achieved.
4. The step of inserting the tool into the nut cannot be solved by calculating trajectories because it is an unstructured environment. To solve it, we used force-oriented controls so the robot acts as if it has a sense of touch.

“Finding the right partner is key: technical skills are important, but the ability to co-create, share risk and find creative ways to quickly demonstrate concepts were all key success factors in the work we did together.”
Suzanne Balima, Strategy and Business Transformation at Vale

Result

The development of a robot that can work completely teleoperated or semi-autonomously with human assistance from a remote operator to complete the proposed task or adjust for unforeseen and/or complex situations. The state-of-the-art technologies leveraged in our solution include:

• Stereoscopic vision allows the operator to have the depth perception to interact naturally with the environment.
• 3D camera to detect bolts and align the tool with the bolt’s axis. The 3D camera’s information will automatically be applied to determine each nut’s tool’s movement.
• Positioning system
• Collision avoidance
• Power balance between elements
• Wiring
• Connectivity
• Mechanical engineering

“I thought it was amazing to see the project evolve from a 3D model to incrementally developing the robot hardware, software, and seeing it come to life. It was a fantastic experience learning from the Godelius team from a technical perspective, but also seeing their innovative DNA rub off on our team. It was a true pleasure working together”
Suzanne Balima, Strategy and Business Transformation at Vale

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In the framework of the so-called fourth industrial revolution, new tools and methods have matured that have great transformative potential in managing construction projects. IoT, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, High Precision Positioning Systems, Computer Vision, and other technologies contribute to making radically new ways of obtaining, organizing, and exchanging information associated with a construction project viable.

Added to this is the BIM model’s consolidation as a generalized digital standard to manage construction data throughout its life cycle.

SK Godelius, in conjunction with Engineering and Construction (ICSK), has developed a Construction Progress Management System which uses all these new technological tools and lays the foundations for radical gains in productivity and efficiency.

How does the system work?

Through a robotic platform that adapts to the particularities of the work, a robotic platform with wheels, legs, or wings is sent to capture information online or quasi online that allows evaluating the exact state of the construction with great precision. That information is collected by cameras, lidars, positioning devices, and other sensors mounted on the robotic platform. The “point cloud” thus obtained is interpreted, processed, and transferred to the customer’s information systems.

A solution based on the tight integration of various services:

1. State of the art capture devices: 360° real-time images to make the analysis feasible everywhere at any time
2. Cloud technologies: project data is hosted on redundant, leading cloud server architecture for maximum reliability and security
3. Annotation and updates: keep all the personnel involved easily updated. Document changes, leave comments and share to keep everyone informed
4. High-quality professional services and monitoring: lean on an efficient team to monitor the construction progress for the job site, 24/7/365
5. World-class management platforms integration: share the data with the most powerful and reliable platforms

The system helps companies improve the construction projects’ control by managing the progress and the budget through visual feedback and information recorded on the construction progress available anywhere at any time.

Construction Progress Management “as a service”

SK Godelius handle the projects’ burden and technological complexities, allowing companies to enjoy the benefits of a service that delivers:

• Online project progress tracking
• Visual records of the construction project evolution
• Record progress in the field to analyze it anywhere at any time
• Efficient communication by making crucial annotation and comments
• Share the progress with teammates, supervisors, customers, among others
• Intuitive Enterprise Dashboard user interface
• Customized reports generation
• Integration with the leading project management platforms

The system can use the construction projects’ information recorded to:

• AI application: create a knowledge base that can be actively reviewed to learn from previous experiences.
• Powerful marketing tool: show your customers your expertise and transparency.

Sharing BIM mock-ups or real-world documentation with your client helps to increase approvals and decrease rework. Our system guarantee that companies have permanently documented their project at 360° and can reference historical images of your proper construction decisions.

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The Stacked Mineral Treatment Plant (PTMP) area consists of two leaching grounds, measuring 1,200 meters by 400 meters. The mineral stacker operates assembling the new stack with the ore from the post-crushing stage. Simultaneously, the bucket wheel that extracts the material from the leached pile sends it through conveyor belts to the gravel area, to be finally deposited by the gravel stacker or spreader. The presence of people in the heap leach vicinity poses a significant risk to employees’ health. There are direct effects of the acid, such as burns and irritation on the respiratory tract caused by acid vapours, and indirect effects through accidents caused by moving structures.

Codelco’s goal was to reduce the risks to personnel’s health and safety while handling both the spreader and the bucket wheel of Chuquicamata and improve productivity.

Challenge

• Design and implement a turnkey solution to make remote stacker and bucket wheel operations viable. The project had to be carried out while the machines were in operation. Therefore, the time restrictions for intervention were very significant.
• Design and deploy an innovative solution for the stacker’s teleoperation and the bucket wheel excavator of the Stacked Mineral Treatment Plant (PTMP), taking out workers from the machines’ direct operation. The entire system would be operated from the teleoperation centre, which had to be designed and built to relocate workers.

Solution

Development of a customized teleoperated operations centre to provide safety and quality of life to the personnel, taking out the operators from the stacker and bucket wheel excavator. The project includes:

• Remote operation consoles.
• Multiple cameras, a high-definition video system
• Wireless network for data transport that used both mobile machine structures to define topology and redundancy.
• Development and integration of remote control and security routines into the native control devices (PLC) of the machines.

The turnkey project redefined the control logic of the device. It involved constructing telecommunications networks with low latency, high availability, and a bandwidth capable of transporting multiple high-definition video signals. The hardware choice was consistent with demanding conditions like high solar radiation, gusts of wind and dust, and considerable thermal oscillation and acid atmosphere.

Furthermore, the stacker structure suffers significant vibrations during its operation, so devices had to include vibration resistant features and connectors. Finally, a special resistant corrosion epoxy paint was applied in mounting supports, and all connections had to be sealed.

Result

• When the project was completed by November 2012, these Chuquicamata systems became the first teleoperated machines of their kind in the world: a milestone in the global mining industry.

The customized project of the teleoperated bucket wheel and stacker helped to change many operational and cultural paradigms. It improved radically both safety and productivity, gaining rapid adoption and praise from all the people directly involved.

The post Teleoperation of Large Machines: Stacker and Bucket Wheel, Chuquicamata, Codelco, Chile appeared first on SK Godelius.

Challenge

• Create a functional solution to monitor the operation of the pumping station Ojos de San Pedro. This area is difficult to access, and it is an extremely relevant station for the mining operation in Chuquicamata Division.

Codelco had defined it as an objective to safely monitor the pumping station, control all the operations, and identify efficiently and quickly possible adjustments. Access to the station was the first challenge of the project due to its geography: high altitude, extreme temperatures and the access roads’ adverse conditions. The journey to Ojos de San Pedro took several hours a day in all-terrain vehicles, which transported the workers, materials, and adequate daily equipment to carry out the tasks that the project demanded.

Solution

Development of two personalized systems to work simultaneously:

• A wireless network platform to monitor variables in the field captured through PLCs.
• A remote control platform with robust high-definition CCTV cameras to work in extreme environments, installed in strategic points.

During the first phase of the project, SK Godelius developed foundations, civil works, lifting of towers and mounting of antennas, installing communications infrastructure, and CCTV outdoor cameras system. It also has created a system of photovoltaic power for all the equipment to provide adequate electrical autonomy. SK Godelius was responsible for executing all the installation, provisioning, commissioning, and delivering training to users.

Both systems are work-integrated and are responsible for monitoring different variables in operation. All the images are captured in high definition and sent through a complex wireless transmission network to a monitoring centre at the Chuquicamata site.

The operations centre allows the workers to review the status of all the wells online and act remotely on them according to their operational criteria.

Result

• Both systems favour workers’ safety since they allow remote operations in the field, such as executing diagnosis or performing tasks, so an in-person action is required in the area only if it is strictly necessary.

Even if workers need to execute a task on the site, they will be safer since there are people in the operations centre to guide and protect them. Furthermore, the employees can have online information about each of the wells’ behaviour and status, so it is possible to adapt water flows from the wells efficiently. The project also allows providing crucial data to the regulatory authority.

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