Future Trends in Mining

Introduction

For thousands of years, Mining provided raw materials to develop economies and build communities. Gas and Oil production is, for this example, considered as a type of Mining. The general populace often forgets that everything we have, EVERYTHING, only comes from two sources. They are either Mined or Farmed; that’s it!

The Pandemic has forced many commercial businesses the world over to be lean and adaptable if they wish to survive.

The failings of over-leveraged, underinvested, and war chest lacking companies, that have based their businesses on outdated economic models were exposed.

There is a paradigm shift taking place in the mining industry right now. Mines are entering a new era requiring them to transform their operations, create new business models and foster a digital culture.

To remain competitive in today’s minerals market means continuously striving for more flexibility and agility in mining management, combining operational fluidity and digital innovations across the whole value chain.

Mining companies must; discover ways to increase the production rate of an operation, reducing the cost per tonne produced. Whilst also extending the life span of a site by establishing new operations targeted on smaller orebodies, working lower grade opportunities or reclaim tailings.

On the technology front, three significant trends are fundamentally changing how mines and mining companies will operate in the future: electrification, automation, and digitisation.

Mining electrification

The electrification of mining operations is, of course, an important step. Allowing us to become less diesel dependant, reduce carbon footprint, and find new ways to become more energy-efficient, with the added benefit of furthering social licence and increasing safety and production.

The transformation of electricity from production to delivery is taking place at all levels. We have fully electric and hybrid heavy vehicles and machinery with better energy storage solutions. These new technologies come with their own set of challenges concerning infrastructure, maintenance, and operating constraints.

Automation

There are a plethora of technologies available to assist mines, robots, drones, virtual augmentation, mixed reality, artificial intelligence, digital twins, 3-D and 4-D printing, machine learning and use of big data.

There is no need for companies to produce these technologies in house. Of more importance, is the effective integration of these technologies, having everything work together seamlessly. Decisions can be implemented from anywhere globally, allowing your staff and Contractors to affect informed change. Allowing Contractors payment on the same day of services rendered, after all the compliance and governance issues, have been complied with.

Integration needs to be holistic across all platforms.

Achieving higher automation and optimisation levels in a mine; leveraging advanced process controls and advanced sampling across mining processes, can bring substantial financial and energy savings, along with increased product recovery and optimise the product mix based on real-time data on pricing and other variables.

It is critical not to forget business systems when we discuss automation. By taking simple repetitive tasks, such as HR and Payroll necessities out of individuals’ hands, we free up both time and budget, which could be employed more effectively.

Digitisation

Mining companies cannot rely on ageing systems in mines to support their business activities of the future. To be competitive, companies need to create new operating and business models and foster a digital culture. Where real-time data of their employees, assets, and business performance is readily available and provides the opportunity to make changes in real-time, from anywhere in the world.

By fostering a cross-functional, enterprise-wide, and a collaborative approach, mining companies could:

• ·Reduce capital cost,
• Minimise exposure to risk and keep projects on schedule,
• Apply change to the entire value chain,
• Increase the level of automation,
• Reduce the exposure to individuals to risk,
• Have a lower environmental impact,
• Enable integration of control and monitoring data from multiple sources,
• Guide day-to-day and strategic decisions with real-time and historical data per defined KPIs,
• Quickly resolve and predict unwanted situations by using advanced algorithms, modelling, analytics, remote expert assistance,
• Hire effectively,
• Increase Staff/Contractor satisfaction due to perfect payroll and HR solutions.

Assessing, automating, optimising, and collaborating are only a few of the values digitally connected products and services can create for the mining industry.

Digitisation ensures that the right people have the correct information when they need it, accessible from anywhere. Applications enable mine operators to maximise reliability, safety, productivity, and energy efficiency while optimising planning and visibility across operations and the entire enterprise. Legislative and Governance issues can also be dealt with proactively.

In Conclusion

The easiest way for a business to become lean and therefore be able to adapt quickly is to outsource tasks that do not require in-house specialist knowledge, affording a higher spend on talent with a focus on delivering business-critical outcomes.

Technology is critical; it reduces cost, increases productivity, improves frontline safety, builds capability, and accelerates value creation. By leveraging technologies such as cloud computing and storage, smart analytics with machine learning, and mobile apps, effective use can enhance decision-making and advance mining towards automation.

Partnering with the right companies makes piloting, learning, adapting, and integrating these different technologies and applications, ultimately embedding the right solutions easier.

The goal is better-placed people, making more informed decisions, saving money short and long term.

?Moving Forward

If you have any questions about how we can facilitate a move towards this future, please contact us for a confidential conversation. Oberon Solutions Australia offer a holistic, bespoke Mining, METS, Oil and Gas, solution to all your Contractor Management, Recruitment, Human Resources and Payroll needs.

We understand the challenges of working in a dynamic and ever-changing cross territorial industry like Mining and the Oil and Gas industry. We can provide a turnkey service. We offer a cost-effective solution to the complicated and time-consuming processes, including your national and international legislative and Governance requirements.

Our solutions are entirely technology-driven; HR, Payroll, Recruitment and Contractor/LTD company management; these can all be accessed by your employees in the Cloud or via our award-winning phone apps, globally. We have also recently launched a same-day payment system for contractors.

We believe in working in partnership, on how we can support your business and your people so that they can fulfil and flourish within their roles. You will come to think of us as an extended part of your team. Our services provide support, enhance your bottom line, and eliminate stress; we focus on people, not just numbers.

With Oberon as your partner, it leaves you safe in the knowledge that the essential things are in good hands and you can concentrate on leading to achieve your business-critical goals.