The mining and metals sector is in an active phase of systemic change. The shift from isolated pilot projects to systemic digitalisation has become the defining trend.
Government and business are already aligning their efforts:
- The main driver of change is the Industry Competence Centre (ICC) “Metallurgy”. Out of 12 especially significant projects (ESPs) launched in 2022, 11 have already been successfully completed.
- These include key sector solutions: the “Metallurgy” MES and the “Production Planning” system (Severstal-Infocom), the unified “MAGMA” digital loop for mining operations (Norsoft/”Digital Horizon”), and the “Atach” business-process platform (MMK).
- The value of this project portfolio exceeds 11 billion RUB, with 90% of the funding coming from the participating companies’ own resources.
Scale of digitalisation:
- Only 19% of mining companies have built a comprehensive digital ecosystem, while 81% are implementing solutions on a fragmented basis.
- 61% of companies use their own or adapted digital solutions, while 46% implement projects using their own in-house IT departments.
- In-house software development can cost up to 30% more than buying a ready-made solution from an external supplier, which is creating demand for off-the-shelf market products.
- Priorities through to 2030: the roll-out of AI and neural networks (from geological exploration to safety), industrial robotics (welding, quality control), and the development of fully domestic APCS based on open PLCs.
- At CIS level, discussions are under way on a unified concept for the digital transformation of the mining and metals sector through to 2030
Development prospects and programmes of key market players:
- ALROSA has approved a digital transformation strategy for 2025–2027 with a total budget of 8 billion RUB. The company plans to apply neural networks across all key processes, from geological exploration to concentration and safety management. Pilot projects have been launched at its subsidiaries Severalmaz and Almazy Anabara; core solutions are to be completed by the end of 2026, with a full transition of all processes to be completed by 2028.
- Nornickel, which oversees three key mining production projects under the ICC, has invested over 4 billion RUB in this area. By 2030, two-thirds of Nornickel’s process operations are expected to be automated using AI.
- Severstal intends to deploy 16 pilot projects in industrial robotics (welding, quality control, remote crane operation) by the end of 2026, and plans to increase this number several times over.
This confirms that the largest players see digitalisation as a strategic priority and are ready to commit significant resources to software import substitution and the development of their own technologies.
AT THE WEBINAR, YOU WILL DISCOVER:
Which investment projects for the digitalisation of mining and metals companies are under way in Russia?
Who is shaping the future of the sector: case studies and experience from industry leaders.
What are the challenges, trends and opportunities in the transition to digital transformation?
If you do not have time to join the webinar at the scheduled time, follow the link to register and receive the webinar recording or an English-language report.
Contacts
+7 495 109 9 509 (Moscow)
events@vostockcapital.com
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supported by Inventica
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The webinar is held in Russian as part of preparations for the Forum “Digital Mining and Metals: Deployment and Use of Digital and AI Technologies in the Sector” 9 December 2026, Moscow