MINING IN FOCUS
Resolute Mining’s Syama gold mine in Mali will be the first completely autonomous mining operation in Africa.
terminals. Rio Tinto's automated operations in Australia are
reportedly intended to preview a more efficient future for all
its mining operations and reduce the need for human miners.
Meanwhile in Africa, joint venture partners Barrick Gold and
AngloGold Ashanti have automated the Kibali operations
in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the extent that
remote operators function underground from safe air-
conditioned cubicles, while managing the loaders on the
open stopes of the underground operation that descends
close to 800m below surface into a massive orebody. At
Australian company Resolute Mining’s Syama gold mine the
company partnered with internationally renowned Original
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African Mining October 2019
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Sandvik to automate their
underground mine in Mali.
More 3D viewing
Moreover, there is an increased use of 3D viewing which creates
a life-like impression of whatever is being viewed with depth
perception. 3D viewing allows the human brain to understand
and relate complex interrelated issues. More recently, a number
of mining companies have been exploring the use of virtual
reality tools and analysing overlaid information through
augmented reality without having to trawl through siloed
databases, both of which are an evolution of 3D viewing.
www. africanmining.co.za