A mini-review of the development and use of expert systems in mining

Abstract

Purpose. The mining industry is one of the sectors that have benefited from expert systems over the years. This review aims to analyze developments in using expert systems in mining. Methods. The approach used involved searching, screening, and selecting relevant published studies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. A total of 32 (n = 32) articles reporting on specific expert systems developed for the mining industry were considered for further analysis while 21 (n = 21) were excluded from the study. The analysis looked at the nature of the reported expert systems, their mining application areas, and the tools used to develop them. Findings. The results reveal that there is generally an increase in the development and use of expert systems in the mining sector. The abundant availability of expert system shells and the adoption of recent digital technologies such as cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) present a potential for further development of expert systems in the mining industry. Originality. This is the first review of the trends in the development and use of expert systems in mining. Practical implications. This work’s findings give insights into the trends and opportunities for the development and application of expert systems in mining. The growing use of expert systems in making sound decisions in mining has the potential to make future mining operations safe, profitable, and sustainable.