Operators commented that tasks in automation mode were almost the same as manual. They were still using the radio for real-time updates, reporting tonnage, buckets, destinations, and equipment status. Tasks are evolving to identify optimisation opportunities; however, not all operators performed similarly, and while some only operated one loader, others could operate up to three loaders Not all operators reported the same alerts or activation points for normal work operations. Alerts related to camera and sensor faults were commonly recognised. However, not all operators mentioned situations regarding environmental conditions. Another common trend in operators’ responses was their reliance on the system, highlighting every abnormal situation. During observations, frequent Wi-Fi dropouts were observed, attributed to server issues. As a result, they could not operate consistently during those days. An operator noted they had more control when operating in manual mode. For example, in the control room, it was difficult to prevent tyre slippage because they could not see the road clearly, which is crucial for preventing tyre damage. To improve visibility, a new camera was installed on the rear of the loader. Enhancing situational awareness has been achieved through a continuous learning process informed by operator feedback. Under normal operating conditions, the handover process did not appear to be consistent across all operators, even though they all had the relevant information to understand the system's state and potential hazards. This discrepancy was confirmed during observations, which highlighted the shortness of time allocated to this interchange. How is mental workload perceived by workers? There was no consensus on how operators perceive mental workload. One operator stated that the mental workload was very similar to that of manual operations, while another operator stated that it is higher in the control room, particularly because it became difficult to concentrate after long periods of monitoring. Additionally, another operator noted that the environmental conditions encountered during manual operation mode increased pressure. How do team communications change due to automation? During operations, information flowed continuously between the site operations supervisor and the control room operators. The supervisor began each shift in the control room, then worked underground for most of the shift before returning a few hours prior to shift end. The shift boss provides full support to the operators in tactical execution and safety assurance, while the foreman remains on the surface in the office adjacent to the control room, managing operations remotely. Operators generally did not communicate with colleagues underground unless required for a specific task. For instance, if someone needed to retrieve a loader from a level where 26
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