With automation being a trending issue in the mining industry, demand for technologies like equipment control and guidance, industrial control and automation systems, simulator-training, surface drilling and underground mining technologies has increased tremendously. It is also noted that the demand for new optimization, simulation, and visualization software will impact sector players like GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: ATUMF) and the mining industry as a whole over the next decade. The use of automated equipment that can be controlled remotely will have increased during this period, making it a great advancement.
Controlling and monitoring of equipment remotely allows miners to automate industrial processes such as transportation, drilling and blasting. The automated machinery used to carry out these tasks are more accurate, cover a large area in a short period of time and are very fast, making the whole process efficient. Consistent, continuous operations with reduced infrastructure and improved communication streamlines the whole process, making it even more efficient. Safety in mining sites is improved through replacing mine operators with automated machinery, which can be operated in control rooms, a secure distance away from the risky grounds of mines, which are susceptible to collapse or caving in.
Another key to automation would be Laboratory Information Management Systems or (“LIMS”) for short. These management systems help determine a clear view of the work-in-progress status of a lab at any point in time, while identifying potential process bottlenecks and producing real-time analysis of large amounts of data for quality control purposes.
However, there are challenges in the way of the seamless implementation of automation technology. They include:
- Altered responsibilities
- Equivalent levels of safety
- The double burden of immaturity
- The need for a common interoperability plan
- Sourcing skilled people with appropriate expertise
- Operational technology and information technology must integrate
What then, is the motivation to automate processes?
Factors of production are the raw materials we input to make finished products. In mining, labor is among the largest cost drivers, especially in a big mining company, as it makes up about 30% of cash costs in mining. With implementation of automated mining equipment like driverless vehicles, labor costs would reduce significantly as efficiency and productivity increase due to the presence of the machines and increased safety in the mines.
Reports have shown though that despite the slow absorption of automated equipment into the industry, cost-decreasing measures have made automated technologies and equipment the best choice to improve operations and reduce overall operation costs while improving productivity, efficiency and safety in the mines.
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