tmrFebruary 14, 2021 30 Mining automation also known as automated mining removes humans from hazardous mining process. Mining automation automates the mining process for both surface and underground mining operation. Through mining automation it is possible to run underground mines 27/7 which increase productivity while reducing cost. Mining automation also improves worker’s safety. European Union (EU) through its Horizon 2020 and SPARC program is focusing on autonomous underground mining. SPARC program of EU is a public-private partnership (PPP) model between euRobotics and European Commission which an objective to make Europe leader in civilian robotics technology which includes mining automation. SPARC is the largest research and development program in robotics technology in the world. SPARC program has received of ~US$ 823 (1Euro=US$ 1.18) Million funding from European Community for 2014-2020 and three times that fund from European industry (~US$ 2.5 Billion) for a total investment of ~US$ 3.3 Billion. Mining automation including autonomous underground mining is one of key focus areas of the SPARC program. This is driving the mining automation market in Europe.