With increasing scales of automation, and integration of various mining es and unit operations to replace humans with machines at all levels in mining operation, the issue of effective operation and maintenance of such systems have become very critical for the economic viability and competitiveness of mining business. Since such autonomous systems are expected to perform round the clock, the importance of system characteristics such as availability, reliability, flexibility and controllability are of prime importance. A closer look at such systems indicates that data collection, analysis and information flow are essential prerequisites for the competitiveness and cost-effectiveness of such systems. If these prerequisites are not optimal, it is almost impossible to make correct decisions under dynamic conditions. To facilitate dynamic decision-making in operation and maintenance of multiple complex industrial systems, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are being implemented by the industries. These efforts enable the provision of appropriate decision-support to various stakeholders (such as, production managers, suppliers, maintenance managers, experts, purchasing organizations and customers) round the clock, seven days a week (24-7). The paper discusses ways and means to convert data into decision and presents CIOM 24/7 approach (Collaborative Intelligent Operation and Maintenance ) being developed at Luleå University for possible implementation in mining and other industries to meet the challenges involved in autonomous or semiautonomous operations.