Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In

Geomechanics.io

Geomechanics, Streamlined.

© 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

Geomechanics.io

CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

Industries

MiningConstructionTunnelling

Company

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Projects
    Product

    ABB’s Automation Extended: staged DCS upgrades for brownfield mines explained

    February 3, 2026|

    Reviewed by Tom Sullivan

    ABB’s Automation Extended: staged DCS upgrades for brownfield mines explained

    First reported on International Mining – News

    30 Second Briefing

    ABB has launched its Automation Extended programme as a strategic evolution of its distributed control systems, aiming to let mines introduce new automation capabilities progressively while preserving existing DCS investments and control logic. The approach is pitched at brownfield process plants with ABB’s large installed DCS base, where operators want to add advanced process control, data integration and remote operations without major shutdowns or rip-and-replace projects. For mining engineers, this signals a stronger focus on staged upgrades of concentrators, smelters and material handling systems rather than full control system overhauls.

    Technical Brief

    • Automation Extended is framed as an evolution of ABB’s existing DCS architecture, not a replacement platform.
    • Programme scope centres on integrating “future automation capabilities” into current control layers while retaining validated control logic.
    • Data integration is a core element, signalling closer coupling of DCS with higher-level information and optimisation systems.

    Our Take

    ABB’s Automation Extended sits alongside its recent work on Boliden’s Aitik tailings facility and Vulcan Energy’s Lionheart project, signalling that ABB is standardising an integrated electrification–automation stack that can be ported across both conventional and emerging critical-materials operations.

    The long-running ABB–Fenner Conveyors collaboration in Australian mines suggests Automation Extended will likely be engineered to plug into existing ABB drive, hoist and conveyor ecosystems rather than replace them, which matters for brownfield upgrade strategies.

    Within our 858 Mining stories, ABB appears frequently as a systems integrator rather than a point-solution vendor, so Automation Extended is likely to be positioned as a coordination layer that helps miners stitch together disparate ABB and non-ABB products into a more coherent control environment.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    Mining
    about 8 hours ago

    Anglo Asian–Worley Xarxar, Garadag studies: capex and layout insights for mine planners

    Anglo Asian Mining has appointed Worley Europe Limited to deliver full feasibility studies for its Xarxar and Garadag copper-gold projects in Azerbaijan, moving both assets towards potential development decisions. Worley, part of Australia-headquartered Worley Group, will apply its global open-pit and processing-plant design capability to define mine layouts, metallurgical flowsheets and infrastructure requirements. The work is expected to firm up capital and operating cost estimates and clarify options for staged development and shared infrastructure across the two deposits.

    Mining
    about 8 hours ago

    Veracio–Bureau Veritas Latin America rollout: drill-to-model gains for mine teams

    Veracio and Bureau Veritas have signed an MoU to roll out Veracio’s advanced geological scanning technologies across Chile, Peru, Argentina and Brazil, with scope to extend into other Latin American markets. The collaboration is expected to pair Veracio’s digital core scanning and downhole sensing tools with Bureau Veritas’ regional laboratory and inspection network to speed up geological data acquisition and QA/QC. For miners, this could tighten drill-to-model cycles, improve orebody characterisation and standardise high-resolution geoscientific datasets across multiple operations.

    Mining
    about 8 hours ago

    Sandvik–Diemme Filtration deal: integrated dewatering flowsheets for mine designers

    Sandvik has agreed to acquire Italy-based Diemme Filtration, adding high-performance mining filter presses and dewatering systems as a new Filtration division within its Rock Processing business area. Diemme’s portfolio includes large automated filter presses for tailings and concentrate dewatering, targeting dry-stack tailings and reduced process water consumption in large concentrators. The move gives Sandvik an in-house solution for integrating crushing, screening and filtration flowsheets, with potential implications for tailings storage design and water balance in brownfield and greenfield plants.

    Related Industries & Products

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.

    AllGeotechnicalMiningInfrastructureMaterialsHazardsEnvironmentalSoftwarePolicy