A Mining Company Is Not An IT Company. Or Is It?
Future of the mining sector

A Mining Company Is Not An IT Company. Or Is It?

Last decade, with the enhancement of digital technology and big-data hype, there have been many discussions around how to digitalize a mine. More mining companies have started to transform their business by adopting digital capabilities through the leveraging power of data. However, still there is a gap between where we now and where we want to be in the future. To address that concern, we need to understand staffing requirements to drive digital capabilities. This article discusses different type of digital projects and team constellations that are needed to deliver digital projects in a mining organisation. 

DREAM TEAM? | To drive a successful digital transformation we must build digital capabilities inside a mining organisation

1. DIGITAL | Digital roles are to leverage knowledge of new digital technologies in day-to-day mining operations

It is essential to have digital specialists and experts who understand digital strategies, transformations and executions. They should be able to leverage new technologies such as IoT, AI, 3D printing, drones, augmented reality, gamifications and autonomous vehicles in day-to-day mining operations. These need to be embedded in the backbone of the mining company. Also, they should know how to prioritise digital initiatives based on the company budget and business requirements.

2. ANALYTICS | Analytics roles need to use advanced analytics techniques and machine learning algorithms to obtain real-time insights in data

Data is generated frequently and it is essential to use it to obtain real-time insights. It enables the use of advanced analytics techniques (machine learning algorithms) such as predictive maintenance, throughput and energy optimisations. These algorithms then need to be implemented in the current IT system and used to obtain insights and to tune models simultaneously. That purpose can be achieved by an army of data analysts, scientists, data engineers and big data architects, who work in a collaborative environment based on agile concepts. 

3. OPTIMISATION | Mining is a super-complex process, but thanks to mathematicians and optimisation experts, the processes can be streamlined

Mining is a super-complex process, but thanks to mathematicians and optimisation experts, the processes can be streamlined. Mathematical modelling can be used to optimise the supply chain, mine scheduling, mill and refinery optimisation, and mine to port optimisation. Sometimes the models are not perfect, but the constraints can be tuned to get near-optimal solutions.

4. SOFTWARE | Software teams need to develop front-end and back-end software, apps and dashboards to connect with the systems and people effectively

It is highly necessary to develop front-end and back-end software, apps and dashboards to connect with the systems and people effectively. These skills can be achieved by hiring dev ops engineers who understand not only a specific programming language, but also how to connect the apps and dashboards with the current IT system. They should be able to develop tailored mobile apps to cater for the operational requirements. It is also necessary to have full stack developers, agile coaches, scrum masters and product owners to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

5. USER JOURNEY | These roles help to understand the interaction of multiple complex processes and the employees who are heavily carved with the systems and processes

Breaking silos is a challenging problem in the mining sector due to the interaction of multiple complex processes and the employees who are heavily carved with the systems and processes. One of the easiest ways to break the silos is to understand the way users operate in the system interfaces and their communication processes. Personas can be used to understand the people-process-system interactions. Then the outcomes can be used to design optimised apps and dashboards to make employees’ day to day life easier. Therefore the mining industry needs in-house user interface and user experience designers. 

CONCLUSION | Time to rethink!

It is great to see that some of the companies are now gradually starting to recruit the above skills sets by creating new departments in the company, but sadly others are still far behind. You might be thinking that it seems like we are turning mining into an IT Company. But that is the disruption which leads to innovation we have been waiting for. Otherwise it will be difficult to stand out in the digital economy.

About the author:

Kash Sirinanda has a doctorate in mine planning and optimisation from the University of Melbourne, Australia. During his PhD studies and post-doctoral work at the University, Kash developed algorithms for generating designs that maximise the NPV of a mining operation. That work provides the basis for software that assists mine planners to design more profitable mines. Kash was also a visiting scholar at the Colorado School of Mines, USA.

He has worked on various mining projects which include due diligence, operation, analytics, optimisation and digital in different commodities around the globe. He is a keynote speaker and provides mining leaders with strategic direction, and visionary leadership.

Kash´s vision is to engage, partner, and collaborate with leaders and decision makers to transform a business into a best-in-class, advanced digital and sustainable-enabled competency company.

Founder of www.mineconnector.com & www.elitefuturists.com


Dipanjan Ghoshal

Industry sector solutions & services Experience Domain Guv-Tech, EPC , Mining, Utility and Smart Space , Manufacturing and 4.0, AI & Analytics, Blockchain, CIPS and IoT, Cloud & e-Gov, Member MGMI, Member IEI

5y

Geo Mining condition - if software is developed for thick seam / without ingredient ones and Mining company has Only these in operating region then More Mining company and some software company. However, in across world deposits - all are different and many come with Faults/Folds etc - thus Mining company has to become software company to know Where to Localize that software. In Later condition, Mining company has to become more than standard software company.

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Gary Vermaak

The Quest for Net-Zero Mobility

5y

IT is and never will be anything more than an enabler. Any business is about people, processes, products / services and money. IT has just replaced the paper that used to facilitate business. 

Hannes van Niekerk

Project Manager at Self Employed

5y

A mining company is Not an IT company, but any mining company needs to understand and fully embrace the mining advantages that the IT industry provides.

Jose C. Villegas Manrique

Gerente de Mejora del Negocio. Compañia Minera Antamina S.A.

5y

Es muy importante tener una decisión de la empresa para involucrarse en la tecnología e innovación pero sobretodo hacer participar al liderazgo operativo quienes son los que usarán estas herramientas.

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