MINING EPC / EPCM
greater interest in the adoption of renewable energy and innovative solutions driven by a social licence to operate that will responsibly enable this sector to provide the metals and minerals needed for a sustainable future .”
The company , for example , is currently engaged with a major diversified miner to support its energy transition goals by implementing green hydrogen technologies .
Delivering with digital
The EPC and EPCM providers have been aided in serving these new client demands with an assortment of tools including digital twins , 3D modelling , automation , machine learning and other innovations .
Many such products are available on the market for miners to use themselves , but innovative mine builders are increasing their value proposition by turning them into fit-forpurpose solutions that could potentially be used beyond project delivery .
Hatch , for instance , has developed and deployed a series of integrated tools to improve construction and development outcomes referred to as “ Digital Project Delivery ”.
This offering allows the company to create a 3D model of every asset and commodity in the project , which are mapped to supply contracts and installation work packages . Additionally , it is able to carry out construction simulation to
FLOTATION ’ 21
8-11 November , 2021 | Online
Sponsored by : Promet101 , Maelgwyn Mineral Services , Magotteaux- Gold Ore , CiDRA Minerals Processing , Hudbay Minerals , Senmin , Clariant , BASF , Eriez , Nouryon , Festo , FLSmidth , Zeiss , Kemtec Africa , Solvay , Glencore Technology , Woodgrove Technologies , Metso Outotec , International Mining & Critical Minerals Association
PHYSICAL SEPARATION ‘ 22
May 9-11 , 2022 | Online
Sponsored by : CEEC , International Mining , Imformed , Cornwall Mining Alliance & Critical Minerals Association
INTEGRATEDMINPRO ‘ 22
June 13-15 , 2022 | Online
Sponsored by : ProMet101 , International Mining , Cornwall Mining Alliance , & Critical Minerals Association
SUSTAINABLE MINERALS ‘ 22
July 11-14 , 2022 | Online
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PROCESS MINERALOGY ‘ 22
November TBC 2022 | TBC
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shorten the overall schedule , maximise workforce activity and minimise indirect costs .
“ These tools and workflows have proven to reduce the overall cost and schedule of complex mining projects ,” Collins said , adding that they come on top of technologies to support underground safety , improve underground communications and use short interval control systems .
Hatch is also readily using digital twins to augment mine operators ’ decision-making process .
AFRY ’ s Tikka said his company is creating and using digital twins / models that ingest operational and technology data , as well as factor in the project ’ s digitalisation strategy roadmap .
“ By establishing this engineering technology digital twin model , companies are able to move towards full digital twin operational data integration supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning ,” he said .
This requires a collaboration on data to alleviate any interoperability issues that might arise during project design and construction phases ; a process that involves multiple parties and systems . This has seen the company build relationships with clients and fellow contractors to provide a ‘ true ’ digital twin of the asset in question .
Fluor ’ s Kaid agrees
An example of complex data handover requirements across plant lifecycle stages ( credit : AFRY )
that data needs to freely flow throughout a project ecosystem for a digital twin to become valuable .
The company is also using AI to continuously assess the health of a project , thereby identifying any deviations and opportunities from a project ’ s baseline for immediate mitigation , helping shorten overall project schedules , according to Kaid .
“ Such technology has proven to be highly effective in managing disruptions to construction schedules that were driven by the pandemic over the past 18 months ,” he said . “ As such , we were able to re-sequence tasks , reallocate resources , adjust staffing levels and reorganise shifts with minimal impact on project cost and completion dates .”
This type of digitalisation and systems integration is becoming a ‘ normal ’ part of Stantec ’ s business , according to Rusk .
“ For example , years ago , virtual reality ( VR ) was a cool , new technology ,” he said . “ Now , it ’ s a regular component in our work . And we ’ re seeing that demand from our clients . It ’ s an expectation that we work efficiently with technology and help them implement new technologies .”
This expectation sees the company regularly provide VR reviews of projects with clients , where Stantec engineers use VR headsets and go into the ‘ virtual mine space ’ alongside clients ( also using VR headsets ) to provide increased visibility .
“ Our clients can be present in the model and ask a question about a component of the design , and our engineers can interact directly with them to see the same thing they ’ re looking at and answer the question ,” he said .
By using digital tools , Rusk said Stantec can leverage the core functions of what the company does , providing more efficient design reviews and very powerful communication , particularly for non-technical audiences .
“ If a picture is worth a thousand words , a 3D model is worth an encyclopaedia ,” he said .
40 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021