Mechanisation and Automation are key technologies to improve safety and productivity in mining and tunnelling. To manage difficult situations and maintenance personnel is still needed around machinery in the confined spaces. As robots are not available in the near future the need to keep the safety standards high to protect the employees is critical in underground automation. This thesis is focussed on the reduction of risks associated with automation in underground operation without limiting the possibilities by introduction of new technology. This is based on a detailed discussion of the environmental and operational conditions, the dangers of underground machinery, the related regulations and standards, hard- and software, and new technology developing. The evaluation of international accident reports identified the risks caused by automation. On the other hand automation contributes to increase safety in underground operation. Specific methods to avoid unplanned machine movements, manage the software life-cycle and configuration, and minimise the risk of a failure of the control system in pillar retreat mining are developed and presented. The question What is delaying further automation in mining and tunnelling today? leads to the topics, which needs further development in future.