The Benefits of Digitization of Mining

Metals and Mining Review | Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Mining is an archaic and global industry with its origins, dating back to the foundations of civilization and impacts many of the significant economies throughout history.

Fremont, CA: In the present scenario, mining represents about 12 percent of the world GDP, measured by revenues and products sold. Although mining has always been needed, now it is facing significant challenges, most of which have not been seen before. The growing global population and economies are inversely proportional to the increase in the demand for minerals, and this trend is expected to move only in an upward direction. Despite this, mineral extraction and processing are becoming increasingly problematic, as the depletion of the earth’s resources and the effect on fragile environments is also growing to be a social concern.

Digital Transformation: The “Smart” Mine

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Digitalization in mining is regarded to be a topsy-turvy term by many, and digitalization is generally assumed to mean creating upheave and disruption. However, in a real sense, digital transformation is mainly about doing things better. It is a catalyst that helps mining operations be ‘smarter’ with tools and processes, which make operations instrumented, intelligent, and interconnected. Digital transformation enables zero entry, entirely automated and integrated mine, which is designed specifically for automation from the inception with tailored methods to the orebody and variation in execution reduced by automation. Additionally, it helps to eliminate fatalities and injuries form high energy environments. 

In the forthcoming years, digital mining will influence many of the emerging and evolving digital technologies—industrial internet of things(IIoT), a digital technology that can be notably transformative for mining. Critically placed sensors, which are connected to the internet, can enable mines to gather significant amounts of data in real-time. The data collected from IIoT is actionable and helps managers to make smart decisions which can improve efficiency, cut cost, increase safety, and so on.

The transition of the cloud has transformed most of the primary industry, and mining is no different. Cloud enables real-time enterprise-level views of operations in a mine utilizing an integrated IT cloud-enabled platform. Cloud-enabled devices connect the workers with real-time data in an improved manner, establishing a level of collaboration that augments safety and productivity in any mining operation. Moreover, Security and infrastructure services can be shifted to the cloud, cutting costs while increasing the capabilities.

Each of these digital technologies bestowed mining operations with unique capabilities and advantages, and it is their interconnectivity that helps the mines to operate at new performance levels.

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