163 Experience from steep-gradient hydropower projects demonstrates that mechanized excavation can be realized under boundary conditions comparable to those encountered in underground mining. Adaptations in alignment control, geological management, and profile integration confirm that TBM systems can be engineered to meet mining-specific requirements. Beyond operational considerations, excavation method selection increasingly interacts with electrification strategies, lifecycle resource efficiency, and regulatory sustainability frameworks. Continuous electrically powered systems align structurally with decarbonization pathways and integrated infrastructure planning. The decision between cyclic and continuous excavation should therefore not be framed as a binary productivity comparison. Rather, it represents a strategic choice between different development architectures, each with distinct implications for risk management, energy performance, and long-term underground system design. Future applications of mechanized excavation in mining will depend on project geometry, geological predictability, development length, and corporate sustainability objectives. As these parameters evolve, the system-level evaluation of excavation methods will become increasingly relevant in shaping underground development strategies. REFERENCES Asche, H. R. and Mather, D., (2014). Use of tunnel boring machines in the mine environment. Proceedings of the 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference. 655–662. Rostami, J. (2016). Performance prediction of hard rock Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) in difficult ground. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 57, 173–182. Zheng, Y. L., Zhang, Q. B. and Zhao, J., (2016). Challenges and opportunities of using tunnel boring machines in mining. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology. 57, 287– 299. Gollegger, J., Priller, A., Rausch, M., (2009). The use of tunnel boring machines in squeezing rock in the Gotthard Base Tunnel. (Geomechanics and Tunnelling 2, No. 5, pp. 591– 600). Berlin, Germany: Ernst & Sohn Verlag für Architektur und technische Wissenschaften GmbH&Co. KG. Rodríguez, R., Bascompta, M. and García, H., (2024). Carbon footprint evaluation in tunnels excavated in rock using tunnel boring machine (TBM). International Journal of Civil Engineering. 22, 995–1009.
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