MINING SOFTWARE and execute their mining projects , and these same solutions , along with future developments , are expected to drive process innovation and even process disruption when it comes to “ sustainable innovation ” and increased value generation .
While the current ESG focus relies on reporting of ESG metrics for governance and public engagement purposes , Hamilton expects to see a move towards action and activities that drive sustainability / ESG results .
“ And , so having the technology to both monitor and report on ‘ actuals ’ as well as drive the activities via modelling and simulation of future scenarios to ensure mining companies remain on track , will be extremely important ,” he said .
There will also be a need to “ democratise ” the data and simulation experiences , putting the data in the hands of decision makers rather than just technologists , according to Hamilton . This is where a platform like 3DEXPERIENCE helps , providing a real-time view of business activity and ecosystems to , the company says , connect people , ideas and data – all of which is customised to the chosen industry .
Hamilton added : “ The main transformation caused by the ESG industry trend is the broadening of KPIs . Mining companies have always tried to reduce energy wastage , and over or under-designed energy systems and resource loss in their operations . Now , they are also looking at additional KPIs such as the percentage of green energy , the greenhouse gas emissions of the fleet or the plant and the value of waste , to name a few .”
This new frontier is likely to see , for example , the resource / reserve estimation process no longer optimised solely on net present value , but also on other indicators such as the cost of closure , the liability cost , etc .
“ Ultimately , we want to help our customers extract and process the same ounce of gold ( for example ) they had planned , but using less energy , less water and producing less waste ,” Hamilton concluded .
Earth , environment and energy challenges
The 2021 acquisition of Seequent put Bentley Systems , the infrastructure engineering software company , into new ESG-related territory too . A leader in software for geological and geophysical modelling , geotechnical stability , and cloud services for geodata management , visibility and collaboration , Seequent argues well-structured and easily-accessible data is integral to driving real improvements in ESG performance .
“ Mining produces waste that needs to be handled properly , as improper disposal can lead to air , soil and water pollution in the surrounding areas ,” the company said . “ Waste rock and mine tailings all need to be processed , sorted and transported to disposal areas .”
Efficient management of this material not only significantly reduces the risk of future liabilities for companies ; it also protects communities and the environment . In this regard , it covers off the entire E , S and G acronym .
“ However , if we can ’ t measure , monitor and track that material with the help of data management , risk mitigation becomes nigh impossible ,” the company said .
Seequent ’ s software solutions , it says , empower companies to make better and more sustainable decisions about their earth , environment and energy challenges .
“ With the right blend of technology and tools , companies can ensure compliance with increasingly stringent regulations , set a new ESG gold standard , and deliver genuine and demonstrable sustainability efforts ,” Seequent said .
Seequent is continuously innovating technology alongside building out its software portfolio , with it and Bentley ’ s above and below ground software capabilities , combined , paving the way for digital modelling and asset management that supports the entire mining lifecycle .
Just some of the technology Seequent is using to solve complex geoscience challenges that benefit people and the planet include MX Deposit , Leapfrog , Imago and Central .
MX Deposit is a cloud-based solution for collecting , managing , sharing and accessing drill hole and sample data , while Leapfrog Geo is a 3D modelling tool that enables rapid integration , communication and interpretation of geological data . Seequent ’ s recently acquired Imago solution is a cloud-based platform for the capture , cataloguing , and review of drill core and chip images from any source , supporting every aspect of the geological process from exploration to grade control . Also cloud-based , Seequent Central is a data management system that brings teams and data together , helping them visualise , track , integrate and manage geoscience data from a centralised , auditable environment .
Even on the exploration side , Seequent ’ s suite of solutions encourage collaboration and enable remote working , which helps customers directly reduce their carbon footprint .
“ With data that ’ s instantly made available , fewer geologists need to visit an exploration site , less often , and decisions can be made remotely to support an optimised drill program ,” it said .
At the same time , leveraging cloud technology and connected collaborative tools enables companies to make decisions faster and in real time , simplifying the exploration process and reducing the environmental impact caused by inefficient drilling or sampling practices .
“ The more holistic your conceptual geological models are the better-targeted drilling can be , helping to reduce costs and aid sustainability – which is what companies are looking for ,” Rob Ferguson , Segment Director , Exploration and Resource Management , Seequent , told IM .
Data is proving key to achieving ambitious ESG targets , but some of the more advanced companies are becoming inundated with information they cannot use , leading to wasted efforts and investments , according to Thomas Krom , Segment Director Environment , Seequent .
“ In addition , the data inevitably sits within different systems , architectures and platforms , and unlocking those silos and bringing down those barriers to collaboration becomes exceptionally challenging ,” he told IM .
FEBRUARY 2022 | International Mining