• MINING INDABA
to synergise with OT , the realm of machinery and on-ground operations . Seamless integration can lead to real-time data sharing , predictive analytics for machinery maintenance and agile decisionmaking . Joint workshops and collaborative projects can foster mutual respect and integration .
Water : Elixir of sustainable mining Water ' s pivotal role in mining is being viewed through the lens of sustainability . With parts of Africa grappling with water stress , alternative technologies such as waterless mining technology , waterless dust suppression , dry stacking , non-aqueous mineral processing and advanced water recycling techniques have become imperative .
Critical minerals and renewable energy The global clamour for renewable energy and climate change is not just a trend — it is a necessity . The monumental shift from fossil
The monumental shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy signifies not just a change in power sources but a comprehensive transformation affecting job markets , skill requirements and socioeconomic landscapes . fuels to renewable energy signifies not just a change in power sources but a comprehensive transformation affecting job markets , skill requirements and socio-economic landscapes . As the mining sector heeds this call for change , the implications stretch far beyond simply updating energy sources . It heralds the emergence of a new workforce dynamic and necessitates a renewed emphasis on skilling and re-skilling , particularly in Africa ' s robust mining sector .
Understanding the energy shift : A dual facet Embracing renewable energy sources : As the mining sector looks to decarbonise , operations are transitioning from traditional fossil fuels towards solar , wind , geothermal and hydroelectric sources . This does not merely involve erecting solar panels or wind turbines . It encompasses designing renewable energy infrastructures , managing them , maintaining them and understanding their integration within the larger grid . Such roles demand expertise in renewable energy technologies , systems management and grid integration . Much of Africa is at a stage where energy delivery is a bottleneck . It must be addressed before broader action in the change of energy mixture can occur .
Mining for the future – critical minerals : The world ' s hunger for technology , especially for green technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy storage , has sent the demand for ' new-age ' minerals sky-rocketing . Minerals such as lithium , cobalt and rare earth elements have suddenly become indispensable . Extracting and processing these minerals entails specialised techniques , safety protocols and environmental considerations . Traditional miners need to be equipped with knowledge and skills tailored to these critical minerals .
38 • African Mining • January 2024 www . africanmining . co . za