• TECHNOLOGY
More than 30 insights were gleaned in the latest study with 10 new |
insights highlighted , namely : |
1 . |
Mining CEOs and their executives are being deliberate |
2 . |
Technology is being applied where it has the greatest |
measurable benefit |
3 . |
The hunt for value requires cooperation and compromise |
4 . |
Digital tools don ’ t just measure , they contribute |
5 . |
The imperatives for sustainability , and the crown jewels |
6 . |
We are up to the challenge and have the tools to win |
7 . |
Mining is about people – and we need to fight globally for |
talent |
8 . |
ESG – critical for business survival or tick-box ? |
9 . |
Regulations shape ESG ( for better or worse ) |
10 . |
ESG drives long-term value |
“ What is glaringly obvious , is that our miners have distinctly moved on from pondering ‘ the why ’ in terms of digital transformation , to ‘ the how ’, ‘ the what ’ and the ‘ when ’. This is encouraging and so mining is moving firmly away from a perceived notion that it is a laggard in adopting 4IR and digitalisation ,” Baxter noted .
Baxter added that feedback in the study also showed that : miners recognise the opportunity to leverage technology infrastructures , such as ICT ( Information and Communication Technology ), to improve their ESG control systems , especially with the use of data across the entire mining value chain and its processes , and disciplines ; there is a move away from distinct point solutioning : use , re-use , optimise and re-use again is a preference ; and digital transformation and ESG practices are paying off , qualitatively and quantitatively .
Driven by the notion to “ Be the change that you want to see in the world ” and encouraged by the Minerals Council to focus on solutions and do something about the challenges in the country , added to a “ we can no longer wait ” and “ we will get things done ” attitude , “ operations across the nation have taken on the mantle of becoming ecosystem leaders , where they operate .” Operations are creating their own solutions around the Eskom and Transnet failures .
Another trend is that solutions are happening from a “ bottomup , rather than the traditional top-down route ”– communities , together with leadership in companies , are creating sustainable platforms at a localised level . “ I always use the terminology : you have to have a coalition of the willing to drive the agenda to take it forward ,” said Baxter , and that includes through the Minerals Council programmes and those of the Mandela mining precinct , per respondents .
Baxter emphasised that tools and systems have been developed – or are under development – to enhance executives ’ abilities to make better decisions with regards to their digital transformation efforts , such as the RTIMS Digitalisation Business case and Benefits Tracking methodology and tool set , which is available on the Mandela Mining Precinct ’ s Know More public portal .
Apart from modernising and making mining safer and healthier , digitalisation is core to making the mining industry attractive to career seeking men and women . The growing participation of women in mining will be encouraged by the transition of the industry into a modern , safe and healthy environment for everyone both physically and emotionally , said Baxter .
“ Our expectation is that this study and its results will have a profound effect and influence on how we mine metals and minerals in the future ,” concluded Baxter .
See Part 2 of this article in African Mining which will cover and in-depth discussion on each of the 10 insights in more detail by Ian MacKay of PwC and Jean-Jacques Verhaeghe of the Mandela Mining Precinct . •
References :
1 . https :// www . pwc . co . za / en / publications / ten-insights-into-4ir . html
What is glaringly obvious , is that our miners have distinctly moved on from pondering ‘ the why ’ in terms of digital transformation , to ‘ the how ’, ‘ the what ’ and the ‘ when ’.
26 • African Mining • June 2023 www . africanmining . co . za