Course Title; Introduction to mining and metallurgy

Course code; IME 1205

Module; Introduction to Mining

Lecturer; Dr J Tshuma

Class 5; (Advancements in Mining)

Objectives;

To inculcate detailed knowledge to students on the advancements in the mining industry

Advances in Mining

A number of advances in mining for the next decades are in place and these will improve the mining
operations. These advances will improve;

(a) productivity
(b) cost savings.
(c) safety advancements
(d) environmental impacts

The 12 technologies in the advancement in mining are;

1. mobile internet
2. automation of knowledge work
3. internet
4. cloud
5. advanced robotics
6. autonomous vehicles
7. next generation genomics
8. energy storage
9. 3 D printing
10. Advanced materials
11. Advanced oil and gas exploration and recovery
12. Renewable electricity

1. Mobile Internet

This will improve worker productivity, mine safety and service delivery.

This enhanced communication technology has not only improved mine site safety but transformed
the way safety is managed. Read attached document on ‘Communication for Mining sites’.

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 2. Automation of knowledge work

This is the application of artificial intelligence. These are intelligent software systems that can
perform knowledge work tasks.

The technology used i.e. Artificial intelligence will establish networks which collect, monitor and
process data to improve process optimization. It will also allow for the efficiency use of resources,
controlling optimal water and electricity usage. e.g. SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition)
and PLC’s

3. Internet

This means networking from one section to another. The technology used i.e low-cost sensor,
wireless etc.

4. Cloud

This is a kind of Internet-based computing that provides shared processing resources and data to
computers and other devices on-demand. It is a model for enabling ubiquitous, on-demand access to
a shared pool of configurable computing resources. Cloud computing and storage solutions provide
users and enterprises with various capabilities to store and process their data in third-party data
centres. It relies on sharing of resources to achieve coherence and economies of scale, similar to a
utility (like the electricity grid) over a network. At the foundation of cloud computing is the broader
concept of converged infrastructure and shared services.

5. Advanced robotics

This is use of computerized robots to perform the tasks in the line of production. These robots
normally replace people from performing these tasks. Robots provide the means to work in
hazardous environments improving safety for operators and emergency service workers, in mining
activities and in mine closure/decommissioning. Their ability to map and monitor large spaces
(underground, under water, and from the air) will provide a new and cost-effective means to gather
valuable information important for mining and smelting operations (monitoring of environmental
pollution).

6. Autonomous vehicles

These are vehicles that can operate in autonomous or semi-autonomous conditions. (a motor
vehicle that uses artificial intelligence, sensors and global positioning system coordinates to drive
itself without the active intervention of a human operator).

7. Next generation genomics

Is it possible to clone man who can work for a period of 6 months without sleeping, not getting tire,
not being affected by the heat/gases underground?

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 8. Energy storage

The mining industries are looking for alternative sources of energy of low cost and minimum carbon
footprints. Examples of technologies; batteries (lithium, cells), pumped hydro and pressurized gases,
advanced materials, nanomaterials

9. 3 D printing

3D Printing is the process of making physical objects from a digital model using a printer. Scanners
are being used hence one can easily tell the shape, or form of the ore underground or even
determine the depth to which we find the ore. The type of mining technique can be obtained from
the information from the scanners.

10. Advanced materials

These are materials that have superior characteristics such as strength, conductivity or enhanced
functionality such as memory or enhanced or self-healing capabilities.

e.g. diamond drill bit – a material with similar characteristics to a diamond can be synthesized having
similar properties such as strength etc. and this very same material can replace the diamond in the
bit and used for drilling.

11. Advanced oil and gas exploration and recovery

Huge volumes of fuels are also needed in the mining industry. Fuels such as petrol, diesel, coal which
are fossil fuels are used and these have high effects on air pollution. Therefore, Liquid Natural gas is
an alternative.

12. Renewable electricity

In mines large quantities of electricity are used, therefore if electricity is used it means large bills of
electricity will be used. A cheaper source of energy is therefore needed such as solar energy.