Connectivity and digitization services mean that modern miners can deliver sustainable, cost-effective operations
Just as mobile networks disrupted landline telecoms, the Internet, cloud and secure wireless connectivity are creating opportunities to move faster and smarter. And, thanks to today’s comprehensive managed services, miners can hand off to service providers to design, build, install and manage resilient networks. These networks are the conduits to the data-enabled future of mining, and they can also deliver real efficiencies and savings.
Even at a time when some mined commodities are hitting new pricing highs, an unpredictable economy means no smart miner will want to risk high speculative spending. Also, inflation, ESG-related costs, staffing, procurement, logistics and other factors mean miners need to be diligent and stay on top of cost management.
What is technology’s role here? The simple fact is that applying digital tools and automation wherever possible will help to run an efficient and transparent mining operation. Some of these actions will affect the mines themselves but others will go all the way to the boardroom and finance office. For example, companies are increasingly turning away from spreadsheets as areas such as financial planning and analysis tools are allowing more forensic oversight of spend and risk by better connecting organizational functions and helping companies to have a plan B, C and D for whatever comes next.
In modern mining, collaboration is key, and digital tools and networks allow people to share knowledge faster and with rich media. Miners always need to be addressing processes and reviewing practices to minimize shift delays, reduce equipment cycle times, improve site conditions and provide superior workflows. Similarly, workforce planning has advanced so that companies can better allocate people to roles and locations, but also that their staff receive the training and mentoring to upskill throughout their careers.
However, there are also some real practical actions that sit on, or close to, the mine floor, and many of them are enabled by digital tools and networks.
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