How Digitization is transforming the Mining Industry
The mining industry today is undergoing a complete makeover. Unlike maximized production of ore quantity, companies now have realigned from supply-driven approach to demand-oriented and customer-centric approach. To enhance flexibility, improve throughput and optimize costs, companies need to imbibe practices that can nullify loss of sustainability with an end-to-end integrated approach. This is the most primary role, digitization will play in the upcoming years of mining. Don't you find it extremely interesting that the core idea of mining has transformed from hard work to smart work? It focusses on demand. It centralizes customer needs. And then what follows is a streamlined flow of planning, production, and delivery in line with succeeding orders.
What's next? Mining is all about end-to-end integration. What does this mean to you? It means, your operational data will be effectively processed, your business processes will be intelligently oriented, information systems and devices will be connected in a coordinated way (Technological Interoperability) and systems will be autonomous.
a) Greater ease of automation
b) Improved data exchange
What an autonomous digital mining technology does to your mine, is a series of progressive technological improvements to upscale operational performance, and then recapitalize these profits into deeper and widened solutions (Business Intelligence). This is exactly the concept of end-to-end integration in mining. This is what we were trying to incorporate into your brains. Before we plunge into the deeper segments of mining digitization, we wanted to make sure that you are better versed with the core idea of digitization and automation in mining. So, you have understood the basics! Isn't it?
Many of you here are eager to know more. What exactly is Digitization? How it is implemented to your mine? And how it does bring profit to your mine's internal and external operating environment?
Okay. Let us put the concepts straight. The process of digitization contains 6 stages, extensively known as “Mining Technology Adoption Model”. Every stage here strives to improve productivity, efficiency, safety, cost-cutting, and decisive competence, or an amalgamation of all these turnouts.
Data collection – Over the years, mines had more or less similar resources and yet the knack of technology was missing. This stage caters to greater equipment utilization, optimized productivity and specific tracking of truck movement. But most pivotally, before any operation can be put into perspective, it's the data that has to be accurate and consistent. Because, based on the authenticity of these data, operations shall be put to further execution. So, you would definitely desire to know the microdynamics that this stage serves to a mine's dispatchers and operators. Carefully, look into the features and these will automatically form a picturesque imagination into your mind. Real-time maps of the site, live schematics of the hauling progress, payload weights, equipment travel times and, so much more. These data help dispatchers update hauling assignments and communicate with operators. Overall, this stage allows for smooth data flow in the central command system.
High precision machine guidance – In this stage, machine guidance systems and equipments receive end to end updates and this helps excavators, dozers, and machines with specific details. So, everything turns automated. Neither do operators survey nor do they grade stake. They just follow on-screen guidelines and the rest follow. From digging benches, reshaping roads and, building ramps, this stage executes the preparatory phenomenon of a mining operation. These systems integrate with FMS and advance further into reporting and analysis. Two varying technologies work together interoperably. This augments efficiency and downsizes internal operating costs.
The dispatching process – Productivity. Productivity and Productivity. Yes, this stage puts your mining data into effective utilization and executes the finest operational results. Universally you need to keep this thing in mind that the entire process of digitization is all about an end to end integration of real-time data with the mining process, taking place one after the other. Routes are optimized and costs are preserved. Other than dispatching, downtime tracking feature allows automated dispatching to respond to unprecedented operational changes. This cuts down all unnecessary time and directs the equipment to reach to the most desired location.
Reduced downtime and predictive maintenance – Now that operational data is practically incorporated and executed into stages 2 and 3 of MTAM, mine planning, and dispatching has been successfully implemented. Now, what made it execute and deliver? It is your fleet, your mine's fleet. Trucks, shovels, dumpers, and operators. Yes, they are responsible for the successful implementation of stage s 2 and 3. So, to continue with this, your asset's health is a foremost priority. This stage is all about monitoring asset health and reducing downtime. What do we mean by asset health? In simple terms, it means component repair and replacement. With the help of onboard OEM sensors on active mine equipment, personnel can easily view real-time data and can intervene immediately when there is an emergency equipment malfunction.
Business intelligence – This stage is about advanced prediction. Till now, we have witnessed how basic level data has been gathered on FMS & mine planning, dispatching and asset's health are monitored. All forms of practicalities are addressed and profits are maximized. Mining companies incorporate a system of Analytics and Business Intelligence (BI) to extend prediction beyond maintenance. With a boundless correlation of operational data for fleet management, asset health, mine planning, geology, and plant control, hidden trends are explored that have never been examined before. Why this is done? With every inch of data manipulation, productivity, cost savings, profits are enhanced.
Technology and interoperability – This means oneness of all components into your mine. This stage revolves around creating a data layer that connects all systems. So, how does it help your mine? One system operates and administers the working of other workflows. This is what we say, from pit to the port in mining solutions. One independent data layer influences with each system directly. The systems share their data with this governing data layer and core findings are addressed. In a nutshell, it is a mix of technological interoperability and automation. Result? Your mine is driven with end-to-end optimization.
