Future mining based on internet of things (IoT) and sustainability challenges

ABSTRACT Sustainable Development (SD) has played an important role in all industries and mining activities. The Internet of Things (IoT), interacting with industrial machines or home appliances through an interconnected network, can assist in developing real-time platforms for monitoring and operating a complex production system with minimal intervention of humans, which made it possible to benefit from the data obtained to increase production rate, Net Present Value optimization, workforce and machine safety, and decreasing pollution. Ideal automated mining can be achieved by designing an IoT based framework and suitable SD assessment. This research aims to achieve a holistic understanding of the current IoT scenario by conducting a comparative analysis of the prevailing literature regarding IoT applications in the mining and SD area. The results showed that, in the economic index of sustainability, mining activity based on IoT can increase productivity, wealth, income, and GDP and decrease operating expenses, depreciation costs, and total cost. From environmental point of view, a significant reduction in emission and pollution can be obtained. Also, the increase in workforce safety and positive impact on culture and knowledge are the components of the social index of sustainability. These activities are followed by some significant challenges such as developing infrastructures, modern machinery, adequate security for data transmission, increase business in the area, creating new jobs for individuals, especially those who have lost their jobs. It’s essential to devise new rules to protect local people, properly distribute the wealth gained from this development to improve the infrastructure of the mining area. Graphical Abstract