A few weeks ago our mining experts met with Danny Vicente from Cisco Coffee and conversation to discuss what’s going on in the mining industry. In this episode, Roland Plett and Bruce Frederick talk about how mining has evolved from the soot-faced man in a hard hat holding a caged canary in one hand and a pickaxe in the other, to driverless trucks and remote-controlled workers who Operating equipment from gaming chairs far above the surface of the earth.
Mining has increased dramatically over the last 10 years due to the need for minerals and mining to support green initiatives and sustainability. Improvements necessitated by this increased demand include environmental, health and safety, and business. Below are just a few examples of the efficiencies that technology has brought to the mining industry.
Environmental improvements
Mining companies are increasingly investing in restoring natural environments impacted by their operations. Key initiatives include:
- Water source protection: There are strict measures in place to protect water sources and ensure responsible water management.
- Land administration: Mining companies place a strong emphasis on responsible land management, with reclamation projects aimed at restoring the land after mining.
- Electrification of operations: The shift to electric trucks replacing traditional diesel vehicles is helping reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
- GPS technology: Innovations such as GPS-equipped dozer blades enable automatic height adjustments for optimal water flow, facilitating efficient land reclamation.
Safety improvements for workers
Ensuring the safety of miners remains a top priority, and technological advancements play a crucial role in this:
- Remote controlled grading: Human operators can now remotely control bulldozers from a safer location, eliminating the need for workers to be exposed to dangerous underground environments.
- Stress monitoring systems: State-of-the-art technologies monitor driver stress levels and notify dispatch when fatigue is detected, increasing overall safety.
- Slope monitoring: Various sensors, including strain gauges, radar systems and thermal sensors, are used to monitor slopes and provide real-time data on potential instabilities.
- Digital twins for environmental modeling: Using 3D modeling, originally developed for video games, mining companies can create digital twins to assess the impact of their operations on the environment.
Financial improvements
Every minute that operations are disrupted can cost mining companies millions of dollars. That’s why they use technology to optimize financial performance and operational efficiency:
- Predictive maintenance: Sensors provide information about impending failures and enable proactive maintenance to prevent costly equipment failures.
- Ore grade monitoring: Tools such as X-ray sensors on blades help monitor ore quality and optimize production efficiency.
- Data-driven explosive decisions: Fragmentation measurement tools help determine rock hardness and optimize the use of explosives in mining.
- Tele-remote work: Workers don’t have to be paid to shuttle from accommodation to the mine and then down to equipment underground, allowing them to work not only safer but also smarter, as one operator in one gaming chair can control multiple pieces of equipment.
These advancements represent a transformation in the mining industry and demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship, improved safety measures and improved financial performance. As technology continues to evolve, Cisco provides the communications, connectivity and automation technologies that play a critical role in improving operational efficiency, security and overall productivity.
Together, the mining sector is ready for further transformative changes that will ensure a more sustainable and responsible future.
Watch or listen to the episode to find out more!
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