19OCTOBER 2021CXOINSIGHTSTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION IN MINING: ARE WE GETTING THE EXPECTED VALUE?By Gustavo Gomes, Director Operations/Technical - Global Iron Ore at ValeNo question tech innovation is the next step change in our industry - and every industry. And I speak not from an OT/IT (Ops/Information Tech) base, but from the standpoint of a 35+yrs hard core operator that has run operations globally, from Americas to Africa to Australasia, seeing what lies ahead of our industry. We are already seeing autonomous systems taking over drills, trucks, eventually shovels, delivering a safer and more productive operation. Expert systems are slowly permeating and auto-adjusting motor speeds, water and overall material flow inside circuits. Robust ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) are being added increasing condition monitoring, facilitated by low-cost wireless sensors replacing expensive hard-wired systems, identifying where and when to intervene, linking the sensor info with maintenance schedules, parts inventory, resourcing planning. Drone mapping & measuring for both surface and underground operations are getting everywhere. Work conducted remotely already started under SWIS (See What I See), facilitating on-job execution & training, particularly in remote, less attractive areas to retain top talents -most experts soon will be operating from the comfort of their homes, wherever this is. Businesses started being run under ROCs (Remote Operation Centre), with optimum decision-making taking place. Quality of communications are improving and will soon be flowing freely and quick, supported by high quality wireless systems, running under private 5G platforms. The above will result in less people exposed on sites, with repetitive work done 100 percent by machines, and controlled elsewhere. Eventually AI (Artificial Intelligence) will take over, optimising all chain - and consistently optimising it once we reach The Singularity - with MIT experts suggesting fully functional by 2030 - which means "tomorrow" in any industrial term...! What Could be an Impediment To This Bright Future?But technology is also latest fashion--everyone talking, lots of companies implementing, but not everyone getting expected value.Examples of autonomous systems implemented with poor haul roads and limited wireless band - large operating hours lost due to misplanning on basic haul road design and comms capability. Introduction of high tech in areas where skills are basic or non-existing - seems introduced for the sake of fashion, rather than business sense. Examples of decrease in op hours, increased cost, creeping complexity. ROCs implemented with still the same silo mindset as if they would still be site-operated - despite being in the same room. And failures being questioned, particularly by the ones supporting the initial investment, but still to see the results. What Went Right (and Wrong)?Important to reflect that some of the improvements in tech were found by chance rather than plan. Autonomous trucks in Australia were initially driven by the need to reduce workforce on site, as a mitigation to increasing costs of attraction/retention in remote Pilbara. Once implemented, teams realised that the extension of life for some critical components and increased reliability due to less human interaction played a much bigger part, with increased op hours (sometimes up to 20 percent) and resulting tonnes having a much larger positive impact in volume and value than labour savings. On the other hand, examples of autonomous haulage still being ramped up in Year 7 - due to poor quality haul roads and wireless comms, responsible for over 1000op hours downtime per year per drills and trucks. Once in discussion with a supporting area I was Gustavo Gomes
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