MINING SOFTWARE
continuing to transition our desktop functionality into web and mobile capabilities . As we ’ ve evolved our technology , we ’ re building things more fit-for-purpose for how customers are working now .”
More automated and remote automated functions are the key areas where acQuire is seeing the most focus and return from a development perspective , providing employees in the mining industry with the ability to work remotely . “ We predominantly focus on information management from an observational perspective and ensuring compliance of the collection of data – how it ’ s stored and how the data is used ,” Atkins said . “ There ’ s a staggering amount of sensor data and miners are less reliant on individuals collecting information as more tools and systems generate and collect data .”
All of this results in more complexity , with observations and measurements becoming more digital .
Atkins said : “ One of the first questions we ask organisations that go down the route of collecting a lot of this newly generated sensor data is : ‘ why ?’ And , secondly , ‘ what are you doing with it ?’ The continual evolution of data types being collected in the field is an area we focus on with GIM Suite and EnviroSys .”
The use of AI is just one avenue the company is exploring for future solutions , which comes back to the volume of data the average mine site is generating and looking to leverage .
“ There are no standard products out there in the AI field , so we ’ re continually researching technology changes and assessing if this is something we adopt as part of our product strategy ,” Atkins said .
Helping automate decision making
Eclipse Mining Technologies , the mining technology provider led by Fred Banfield , Mintec ’ s former Chairman and Founder , and
“ By making it easier for different departments and experts to access and share data across the organisation , SourceOne EKPS can help improve communication and collaboration within the organisation ,” Eclipse ’ s Susan Wick says
Susan Wick , Mintec ’ s former Chief Operating Officer , has opened its own software solution to the industry and third parties to enable collaboration across all parts of the mining ecosystem .
It ’ s SourceOne™ Enterprise Knowledge Performance System ( EKPS ) is intended to help mining companies manage the large volume of data and software applications that they use in
their operations .
Providing this solution – a place to manage their data and software – can help mining companies improve efficiency and make more informed decisions , according to Wick , who mentions automation as one key functionality to have grown in demand recently .
“ This is not the automation of equipment that most people envisage when discussing autonomous operations but automation of decisions , which is equally important ,” she told IM . “ It represents how humans will interact with advanced technologies , such as AI , to optimise decision making .”
SourceOne EKPS has much to offer the industry here , storing the workflow previously used and offering users the chance to automate it , “ which can then be accessed and run by anyone , anywhere in the world , with no possibility of introducing human errors ”.
It is this type of simplistic and intuitive functionality mining companies are continually requesting and SourceOne EKPS can already offer , according to Wick .
SourceOne EKPS is not only bringing value to mining customers today ; it is also designed for the transformation of tomorrow ’ s workflows .
“ Mining organisations have embarked on initiatives involving advanced data analytics , AI , machine learning , etc to extract more value from the plethora of data they collect ,” Wick explained . “ To accelerate digital transformation even more , the industry will need to better integrate their current technologies across their organisations . The ability to share data from the many disparate systems and devices at operations would increase the rate of transformation .
“ Better linking of operations , departments , ICT layers , software technologies and devices would not only increase the acceleration of digital transformation but would lead to greater operational optimisation and remote collaboration .”
This is where SourceOne EKPS , as a centralised , secure system for the storage , handling , processing , and analysis of an organisation ’ s data , can help .
“ By making it easier for different departments and experts to access and share data across the organisation , SourceOne EKPS can help improve communication and collaboration within the organisation . This can help to ensure all relevant parties have access to the information they need , when they need it , in order to make informed decisions , and it can also help to improve the timeliness and accuracy of the data being used .”
IM
International Mining | FEBRUARY 2023