WHAT IS INTELLIGENT MINING?
Technologies such as RFID tags, automated equipment or monitoring software are gradually replacing manual work. In spite of the brake that supposes the shortage of qualified operators and the environmental regulations of the governments, the analysts trust that the technological transformation of this sector is consolidated in the next years and, with her, its production. Above all, in fields such as gold, steel, coal and non-metallic mining.
CHINA, ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTRIES TO IMPLEMENT INTELLIGENT MINING
Zhaojin Mining Industry, one of China’s largest gold producers, plans to invest 120 million yuan (about $ 19 million) this year in technology that allows it to undertake the “intelligent and automated” exploitation of several of its mines, as part of a long-term strategy to counteract the increase in labor costs.
According to Weng Zhanbin, CEO of the company (listed in Hong Kong, but based in Shandong Province), they hope to amortize said investment in equipment and software over the next five years. “This year we have reserved for the first time a differentiated budget for technology updates, with the aim of raising the quality of all our production processes. We are addressing all aspects, from mining methods to mineral smelting technology, as well as the implementation of smart mining without workers. ”
Weng also says that: “Mechanization, automation, digitization and intelligent operations will be the four pillars of our strategy, which will also include the adoption of big data technology in order to collect operational data that helps those responsible for the company to make better decisions. ”
SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES AS COLOMBIA OR MEXICO FOCUS ON INTELLIGENT MINING
This type of mining intelligence is progressively reaching South American countries such as Colombia, Mexico or Chile, where it is expected that in the coming years it will be fully implemented in those countries.
