Advantages of Digitalizing Your Mining Business

Metals and Mining Review | Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Mining companies with integrated technologies can automate operations more easily than those who lag behind in adopting new technology.

Fremont, CA: Smart mines are becoming more prevalent, but they are not yet ubiquitous. There are still a number of barriers to the adoption of new technologies within the mining industry. The key problem is that mines are internally competitive and siloed, which means that mines run by the same company compete against each other when it comes to safety, productivity, and other factors. Let's have a look at the key advantages of digitalizing your mining business.

Minimized Operational Cost

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Wireless monitoring can always get utilized to produce smart mines with significantly reduced operating costs than their analog counterparts. Smart mines are one whose major assets have been digitized using embedded sensors that transmit information to a central system via a wireless infrastructure. As a result, miming businesses can save money not just on human labor but rather on expensive cabling and cable maintenance.

Easy & Streamlined Operations

Smart mines that have previously implemented technology could automate their operations more readily than those behind in terms of technological adoption. Mining industries may expand their current wireless networks of embedded sensors by adding automation software that allows them to operate both moving and static types of equipment remotely and develop automatic interactions throughout them.

Maintaining Workforce Safety

Mining workers' safety is seriously a concern, as mines are generally highly dangerous work locations. For Instance, when dams fail, both employees and people living near mines may be in damage or lose their lives. In addition, workers who perform manual readings in distant, difficult-to-reach areas are particularly vulnerable. Automating mobile assets in mines, like trucks, and providing wireless, remote readings eliminates the requirement of humans to be present on-site, dramatically improving works safety. Furthermore, miming operators can also better forecast and prevent dangerous incidents or accidents like dams collapsing, insights afforded by OI systems, as well as utilizing predictive analysis.

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Smart mines are still relatively new, although they are becoming more prevalent. This results from the mining industry's many barriers to implementing new technology. On the one hand, mines are competitive and segregated inside the company, which means they compete in terms of safety, production, and other aspects. Implementing new technology is hampered by internal politics and a lack of collaboration inside mining companies. All departments must work together to support integration and systems innovation. Every mine must be convinced of the need for new technology as they are distinct and competitive. Furthermore, because they typically take a very cautious stance about their data, mining operators frequently have little faith in cloud services and IoT solutions. This results from the industry's general mistrust of emerging technology and bad prior experiences with big, "reliable" businesses that have, for instance, been involved in hacking scandals. As others who take the risk start to gain from digitization, these obstacles make many mines less competitive and more expensive. Let’s quickly examine the advantages of making the mine digital: Reduce Operational Costs: Compared to their "analog" counterparts, "smart mines" with wireless monitoring have substantially lower operating expenses. In essence, smart mines are ones whose primary resources are digitalized using embedded sensors that transmit data over a wireless network to a central system. Because there is no longer a need for labor-intensive manual data readings on the ground, mining operators can save money on both human labor and costly cabling and subsequent cable maintenance. Not only do mines save money by eliminating these pointless expenses, but they also save a significant amount of money because operators who integrate an Operational Intelligence (OI) solution into their wireless network are more adept at anticipating problems and maintaining their sites regularly. These incidents can completely stop operations for weeks or months at a time. As a result, smart miners outperform regular mines in terms of ROI. Automate Processes More Readily: Automation of operations is easier for smart mines with integrated technologies than for those that implement technology later. By adding automation software, mining operators can enhance their current wireless network of embedded sensors. This software enables them to operate moving and static assets and programs remotely with automated interactions. An excellent illustration of this is the use of a physical network of sensors and remotely programmed and controlled software by automated trucks, enabling them to do mining tasks that previously required a fleet of truck drivers autonomously.  Keep the Workforce Safe: Regarding mines, which are frequently extremely dangerous locations for humans, worker safety is a big concern. For example, workers and nearby residents may suffer injuries or even die when dams fail. Employees performing manual readings in isolated or difficult-to-reach locations are more prone to injury. Workforce safety is significantly increased when movable assets, such as trucks in mines, are automated and wireless; remote readings are made possible. This eliminates the need for workers to be present on-site. Through OI technologies, mining operators can also benefit from predictive analysis and insights that help them better anticipate and avert potentially disastrous events like dam failure. Wearable technology that is wirelessly connected and enables workforce tracking aids in improving labor coordination for operators.  These are some of the benefits of digitalizing the mine. Even if there are numerous obstacles in the way of mines implementing new technology, these must be removed if mining firms are to succeed and stay competitive in the increasingly digital era.  ...Read more