OPERATIONS •
Political instability, policy shifts and concerns about regulatory continuity are all impacting Africa’ s mining sector.
to minimise its carbon footprint. Miners are grappling with huge cost pressures and are faced with the prospect of investing in new technologies and advanced equipment to alleviate these challenges.
Even as the industry invests in these new technologies, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the necessary capabilities is essential. Upskilling and reskilling are critical to harness the benefits of technology, from higher productivity to improved safety. For instance, integrating robotics requires new skill sets, and workers will need to gain expertise in areas such as data analysis and system management.
Transitioning to new technology Broadly speaking, there is a significant need for new low-carbonmotive technologies that address the unique challenges of the mining sector. Just as high-grade ore allows for more efficient mineral extraction, high-quality operational data enables more effective AI solutions. The key is not just having more data but having the right data( quality and granularity) in the hands of the right people at the right time.
Modern mining operations generate millions of data points daily, far more than any person or team could meaningfully analyse. This is where AI can excel – sifting through this mountain of operational data to identify patterns, opportunities and potential issues that matter.
One effective approach that has already seen significant results is using AI and data to measure and optimise mining operations. This includes maximising payloads on mining vehicles, reducing idle time, minimising off-haul activities, and cutting down on wasted operations – challenges that we have known about for a long time, but have so far proven hard to solve sustainably. Leveraging AI enables more efficient driving and machinery maintenance to ensure peak operating efficiency.
By capturing granular data on how equipment is operated, down to individual machines and operators, it is possible to realise a range of performance improvements and cost savings that can have a critical impact on productivity and efficiency.
For example, understanding exactly what each piece of equipment is doing at any given time and benchmarking this against best practices can be used to coach individual drivers on operating trucks more safely and efficiently, mainly focusing on gear selections, productivity and speeds on ramps and through corners – think F1 meets mining.
Even as the industry invests in these new technologies, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the necessary capabilities is essential.
Combining AI-powered analysis and human expertise could transform how mines operate, enabling more precise, confident decisions based on real operational evidence rather than instinct alone. In the face of rising global insecurity, market volatility and a rapidly shifting technology landscape, Africa must act quickly and capitalise on its mineral endowments or risk falling behind. •
About MaxMine: MaxMine 4 is a technology and services solution for open pit mine sites. Using custom-built smart algorithms, artificial intelligence and intuitive software, the company’ s products capture, process and analyse mining operational data, helping open pit mine site operators gain valuable insights in near realtime. Some of its customers include AngloGold Ashanti, NRW Holdings and Kinross Gold.
References:
1. https:// mo. ibrahim. foundation / sites / default / files / 2022-11 / mineralsresource-governance. pdf
2. https:// www. investafrica. com / insights- / 5-trends-shaping-africasmining-industry-in-2024
3. https:// press. spglobal. com / 2022-07-14-Looming-Copper-Supply- Shortfalls-Present-a-Challenge-to-Achieving-Net-Zero-2050-Goals,- S-P-Global-Study-Finds
4. https:// maxmine. com. au /
Introducing Matt Long: Long joined MaxMine in 2017 and currently heads up the customer function where he and his team work to grow the company’ s global footprint and ensure that all new and existing MaxMine customers achieve sustainable improvement across their operations, making them less carbon intensive, safer and more productive. He has over 10 years of experience in the mining, oil and gas and construction sectors and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has worked on four continents delivering bottom line results as an engineer, management consultant and operational leader for companies in heavy industry. Long holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering( Chemical) from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
www. africanmining. co. za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • June 2025 • 25