The rise of AI in mining
Australian Mining Review
The Australian Mining Review is a monthly feature-based publication providing news on issues affecting the industry.
After the world’s richest person – Elon Musk – showcased Tesla ’s latest innovation, the humanoid Optimus robot prototype at its ‘We, Robot’ event, it’s an accomplishment to see how far artificial intelligence has come and where it can go.
With the robots able to do everything humans can do, from holding conversations, serving drinks and playing rock-paper-scissors, the age-old question of ‘will robots take my job?’ is becoming more prevalent in society.
While it hasn’t come to this just yet, Australia’s mining and equipment companies have embraced the rise of artificial intelligence and are deploying autonomous machines and vehicles across mine sites to keep workers safe and increase productivity.
Rio Tinto ’s iron ore business operates the world’s first fully autonomous, heavy-haulage long-distance railway system – AutoHaul? – while BHP achieved full autonomy at its Spence mine in Chile in April 2024.
This hasn’t been trialled, but could something like this be used across mine sites to replace human workers?
Only time will tell.
Finalists announced for AMEC awards
The? AMEC (Association of Mining and Exploration Companies) has announced the finalists for the AMEC Awards, 2024.
Categories cover six key areas as the awards showcase the industries commitment to the environment, diversity and inclusion, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Islander empowerment, contribution to the community and a media story demonstrating clarity, relevance and impact to the industry.
Australia waves hello to ocean energy
Clean renewable energy from harnessing ocean waves can be a critical enabler in helping Australia achieve its Net Zero targets — and we are uniquely well-placed to lead in this space, a new report shows.
Commissioned by the Blue Economy CRC and led by a team of researchers at The UWA Oceans Institute , the Ocean Wave Energy in Australia report details the opportunities, application, integration and development of an ocean energy industry in Australia.
Queensland new-to-industry intake gets women into mining
Two trailblazing women have swapped the salon and vet hospital for new careers at the?New Acland mine?in Queensland.
Jodi Keane-Venz , a former hairdresser and teacher and Ella Graham, a former vet nurse, started work at New Hope Group 's New Acland Coal in August.
Westgold reaps record post-merger results
Westgold Resources Limited produced a record 77,369oz of gold from its expanded portfolio, achieving an average sale price of $3723oz for Q1 FY25.
The Q1 FY25 result is based on three months of production from the Murchison (52,889oz) operations, but only two months of production from the Southern Goldfields operations (24,480oz).
WesTrac raises more than $211,000 for cancer research
Dozens of WesTrac Cat cyclists donned yellow and black lycra for WA’s largest cycling fundraiser on October 12 and 13, raising more than $211,000 for life-saving cancer research.
The annual? MACA Ltd ?Cancer 200 – Ride for the Perkins kicked off on October 12, with nearly 2000 participants cycling 200km from Perth to Mandurah, and back, over two days.
Evolution on track to deliver “over $1.9b operating cash flow” in FY25
Evolution Mining has followed its record FY24 performance, with the company announcing it’s on track to achieve over $1.9b of operating cash flow by the end of FY25.
In Q1 FY25, Evolution generated mine cash flow of $429m, with all operations delivering positive cash flow and major contributions coming from the Cowal and Red Lake operations.
Decmil secures $123m road upgrade contract for WA lithium project
Macmahon ?holdings subsidiary, DECMIL , has been awarded a $123m road upgrade contract for Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd 's Mount Holland?lithium project?in WA.
The scope of works includes upgrading the logistics link between the Great Eastern Highway and Covalent’s Mount Holland site, with approximately 113km of road upgrades to take place.
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Read this exclusive feature in our October paper
NextGen goes next level
“Seeing is believing,” says NSW Minerals Council industry skills and careers policy manager Samantha Skinner .
It is one of the reasons she is excited about this year’s expanded International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) NextGen program.
Hundreds of primary, secondary and tertiary students will filter through Australia’s biggest annual mining conference and exhibition in Sydney in October.
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