Embracing Internet of Things (IoT) for Miners

With almost every industry requiring mineral based resources to produce their products, mining has been an inherent and much-needed activity for ensuring the growth of manufacturing in most mining countries as well as the barometer for the state of these respective countries’ economies.
Demand for manufactured goods has been falling for the past 6 years as has the demand for the associated minerals used to manufacture these products. This has led to a massive decline in commodity value and output. In addition, there are several other factors that have kept the mining and metals industry on the brink.

These factors include:
• Costly logistics for remote mining operations
• Increasing cost of asset ownership as revenue decreases
• Increasing competitiveness with regards to price
• Global legislative requirements for health and safety, environment and social responsibility

• Shortage of skilled resources for existing and new technology.

Advances in technology have invigorated the industry with robotics and other dynamic innovations that have assisted in driving down costs and increasing profitability. Those companies that have adopted these emerging technologies have thrived and weathered the economic downturns over the previous years. Many of those mining companies that have remained rigid with their existing infrastructure have floundered and ceased to trade.

The challenge is to understand what innovation to adopt in order to be abreast with technology as well as remain future proof in the short to medium duration to keep capital costs down. One of the key promises from technology vendors is: creating efficiencies and improved profitability for the mines. Amongst these technologies, one of the most talked about and promising emerging technologies is IoT (Internet of Things).

What is IoT?
According to Gartner’s IT dictionary, “The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects that contain embedded technology to communicate and sense or interact with their internal states or the external environment.”
IoT is changing the way mines work and is destined to form a key technological role in the mining industry. IoT, which can also be specified as IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), synergises end users’ advanced sensor technology with automatic control algorithms so IoT-enabled machines can dynamically schedule their own maintenance, hence making the machines smart! IoT solves connectivity by leveraging all available communication networks into a single, powerful network for effective data communications. Some of the areas where IoT shows great promise in future Mining are:

1. Mine Safety

The mining environment can be a rough one. This is emphasised by the use of powerful heavy duty production equipment and machinery. The interaction between operators and equipment is risky and accidents occur. Heavy duty machinery can be equipped with RFID tags and various proximity style sensors. These devices send out warnings when they sense proximity to other RFID and or sensor enabled persons and equipment. This alerts the said personnel and equipment operators of dangerous proximity and thereby improve mine safety.

2. Automated Operations

The best way to avert risks and accidents is minimising human presence in hazardous mining environments. A well-known example is Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton who moved forward with automated machinery. There are large capital costs associated with this although with a marked decrease in operational costs. And vastly improved mine safety, supports the adoption of these technologies in the short term.

3. Driverless Trucks: The Autonomous Haulage System

Driverless technologies (unmanned vehicles) can perform exhaustive tasks continuously, 24/7, wihout tiring and consequently ensuring a notable increase in Mine efficiency and performance. Robotic vehicles can run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, increasing mine safety of personnel in otherwise hazardous mining environments and improving predictability and productivity.
As the take-up of Internet of Things (IoT) begins to gain momentum, the Mines who adopt and embrace the technology will certainly be able to optimise their productivity and mine safety further, afford more innovation and improve overall mine performance.