PROCESS CONTROL
Anglo American ' s Quellaveco in Peru is one of the
Processes and parameters most digitally enabled mines in the world
Paul Moore looks at some examples of process control and automation from across the mining world – covering digitalisation and industrial software , process variation & digital twins
Industry consolidation is bringing more comprehensive digital solutions to mines than ever before . In October 2021 Emerson and AspenTech announced that the companies had entered into a definitive agreement to contribute Emerson ’ s industrial software businesses – OSI Inc and the Geological Simulation Software business – to AspenTech to create a diversified , high-performance industrial software leader with greater scale , capabilities and technologies .
New AspenTech offers a highly differentiated industrial software portfolio with the capabilities to support the entire lifecycle of complex operations across a wide range of industry verticals , including design and engineering , operations , maintenance and asset optimisation . The deal duly closed on May 16 , 2022 .
The transaction “ accelerates Emerson ’ s software investment strategy as the company continues to build a higher growth , more diversified and sustainable portfolio , by creating
an industrial software company with immediate scale and relevancy in a fast-paced and evolving market . The new company , which retains the name AspenTech , enables Emerson to realise significant synergies and accelerate its software strategy to drive meaningful value creation .”
“ We have now begun a new era at AspenTech , expanding our global leadership in industrial software by providing capabilities that support the entire lifecycle of complex operations across a wide range of industry verticals ,” said Antonio Pietri , President and Chief Executive Officer of new AspenTech . “ With a comprehensive software portfolio , an expanded global sales channel and an even stronger balance sheet reinforced by Emerson , new AspenTech will be uniquely positioned to help our customers address the dual challenge of meeting the increasing global demand for resources in a sustainable manner . As we move forward , I am confident that new AspenTech is poised for significant growth and continued success as we deliver value for our customers , employees and shareholders .”
AspenTech sees digital transformation as the fundamental factor that will empower mine operators into the future . As these companies invest heavily in technology for all stages of mining , mineral processing , refining and distribution , its solutions advance this transition and ultimately make customer operations safer , more sustainable and more productive at lower costs to shareholders and the environment .
Jeannette McGill , VP Metals and Mining , AspenTech told IM : “ AspenTech ’ s mining-specific solutions are designed to maximise usage , availability and reliability . These are based on best-in-class technology grown out of 40 years ’ experience enabling operational excellence across industries . With a strong emphasis on
helping to build the ‘ intelligent mine ’ using artificial intelligence tools , AspenTech solutions provide meaningful insight into everyday operations to drive proactive decision making . Aspen Mtell ® , for example , uses prescriptive maintenance technology to deliver early and accurate warning of equipment failures , allowing companies to improve asset performance ,
increase safety and reduce emissions . This is a game changer for the metals and mining sector . Not only does it deliver prescriptive maintenance by forecasting equipment failures and degradation , but it also alerts staff to when failures could happen , identifying any potential causes , and providing advice on the corrective action required either to avoid or mitigate that impending failure .”
Most recently , AspenTech in July 2022 entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Micromine – a global leader in design and operational management solutions for the mining industry , from private equity firm Potentia Capital and other sellers for A $ 900 million . The transaction it said would complement AspenTech ’ s existing asset optimisation solutions and position the company in a leadership role to deliver the ‘ Digital Mine of the Future ’ in support of excellence in operations with a focus on safety , sustainability , reliability , and efficiency . The acquisition is expected to close in the fiscal second quarter of 2023 , subject to receipt of regulatory approvals .
Emerson ’ s Plantweb™ digital ecosystem has also been a key pillar to introduce digital transformation to mining . This builds on its already leading market position in supplying smart sensors and valve controls to mining across a range of product brands from its Rosemount™ sensor portfolio to Fisher control valves and regulators and Bettis actuators . It has also added to this strength the addition of the isolation valves business in 2015 . These are constantly being updated with the latest technology and are supplied to numerous global mine sites on a regular basis . But on the wider plant control scale it also offers Distributed Control Systems , DCSs , ( DeltaV™ ) and SCADA solutions , and the recent addition of the Intelligent Platforms control systems business , which includes PLCs solutions that have a great application opportunity in underground mines
AspenTech ' s Aspen Mtell ® uses prescriptive maintenance technology to deliver early and accurate warning of equipment failures
10 International Mining | JANUARY 2023