Strategic consulting for underground mine technology, safety systems, and automation — led by 30+ years of hands-on experience at the world's most demanding operations.
ZeroHarm Mining Advisory was founded by Daniel Burger — a mining engineer who has spent over three decades not just advising on underground technology, but implementing it at the world's most complex and high-stakes operations.
From leading Rio Tinto's global underground technology strategy across assets in the USA, Mongolia, and beyond, to delivering the world's first fully automated driverless underground truck system at De Beers Finsch Mine, Daniel brings a depth of operational credibility that no generalist consultancy can match.
He has worked across Australia, South Africa, Chile, Canada, Finland, and Mongolia with organisations including Rio Tinto, Anglo American, De Beers Group, and Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology — always with one overriding goal: protecting people from harm while making mines more productive and future-ready.
Every engagement draws on real-world implementation experience — not just theory. Daniel has designed, procured, and commissioned the systems he now advises on.
Long-range strategic planning for underground mine technology — automation sequences, BEV transition timelines, digital system architectures, and vendor partnership frameworks. Built to survive capital cycles and operational reality.
End-to-end specification, evaluation, and procurement of Collision Avoidance Systems, fatigue and heat stress monitoring, diesel particulate management, and proximity detection — with direct experience implementing these across Kennecott UG and Oyu Tolgoi.
Strategy and implementation support for autonomous loading and hauling, battery electric vehicle transitions, and remote operations centres. Covers equipment selection, staged rollout plans, OEM negotiations, and operational readiness frameworks.
Structured transition planning for new underground operations moving from development to production — defining technology systems, training frameworks, competence models, and vendor integration strategies before first ore.
Independent, vendor-neutral assessment and selection of mining technology providers — drawing on direct relationships built over 30 years with OEMs, automation specialists, research organisations, and industry bodies across 6 countries.
Specialist advisory for block caving, sublevel caving, and large-scale underground mass mining operations — covering cave management systems, draw control integration, and automation of ore extraction. Backed by Oyu Tolgoi, Venetia, and Finsch experience.
Daniel's career is defined not by reports delivered, but by systems built and running — underground, at depth, in some of the most demanding environments on earth. These are not case studies. They are lived achievements.
Project managed the design, installation, and commissioning of the world's first driverless underground truck hauling system — integrated with cave management and mine planning systems.
Defined, designed, and sourced the integrated Collision Avoidance System for Rio Tinto's underground operations in the USA and Mongolia. Supported OT operational readiness with technology procurement and automation implementation.
Led BEV technology demonstrators at Kennecott Underground. Developed Rio Tinto's Mobile Equipment Strategy to reduce diesel, implement automation, and transition to battery electric vehicles across the group.
Developed the complete UG mining and equipment technology strategy for the Venetia Underground Project. Designed and delivered the Underground Mining Competence Training Centre blueprint for open pit to underground transition.
If your operation is facing a technology decision — a safety system procurement, an automation strategy, a BEV transition, or a new underground project — bring in someone who has done it before.
ZeroHarm Mining Advisory offers engagements from focused advisory sessions to full project support. Every conversation is confidential.