TECHNOLOGY
Centralised control rooms at processing plants and mine sites are already the norm in a modern, technology-driven mine.
where scrap material that was previously considered
uneconomical to recycle, has now become viable.
In 2017 the recycling of REE magnets was not considered due
to the monopoly, but China’s steady supply to the market
means that now REE minerals have been weaponised in the
global trade war. Recycling is also more energy-efficient, for
example only 5% of the energy is required to recycle the
same volume of aluminium, compared to producing it from
raw materials. The need to be able to recycle rechargeable
batteries was recognised early on, with collection points and
recycling centres already on the cards for when the currently
produced batteries will reach the end of their serviceable lives
and is expected to have reached the critical mass to make
recycling economically viable.
Virtual Reality
The up takers of virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality
has been limited to an extent to training and education
institutions. Universities have started using VR to simulate
underground conditions and conduct practical training on
these platforms. Mines have tested proof-of-concepts were
incident investigations are done by using laser survey scan
point-cloud data to reconstruct events on the VR platform,
limiting the need to access the area where an incident such
as a fall-of-ground took place. EPCM companies have also
realised the potential of using VR to offer clients project
interaction. VR models are used to generate walk-through
environments that depict milestone and anticipated final
product appearance.
3D modelling
the market being flooded with modelling software and being
highly skilled in software packages and programming is now a
requirement for even the most junior of positions. Exploration
remains the main vertical market for 3D-modelling, with the aim
of integrating more information from less fieldwork and fewer
analyses but producing more accurate models. 3D-modelling
has also gained interest as a tool to anticipate risk areas and
develop remedial scenarios. Ground truthing will however
remain a critical function.
Cybersecurity
There is a risk factor associated with the introduction of these
technologies. The two main concerns relate to the cybersecurity
risks of the shift to cloud-based storage and the ‘bring your own
device’ culture that is increasingly being adopted by companies.
Company IT infrastructure could become vulnerable as it can
increasingly be accessed from outside the company network,
due to employees with varying degrees of e-safety awareness.
It also increases the risk of corporate espionage or sabotage by
competitors.
About the Author
Dr Nicolaas Steenkamp has almost two decades post-
qualification experience in the geological and geotechnical
industry. He has been involved in a variety of consultation
activities ranging from exploration, geochemistry, geological
and geotechnical investigations, desktop and market studies,
country reviews, due diligence, EPCM contract management
and related feasibility studies. www.bowlineps.co.za
Geologists have now become the new IT specialists, with
www. africanmining.co.za
African Mining Publication
African Mining
African Mining March 2020
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