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Using your infrastructure
to connect your mine
by Paul McRoberts
Companies that specialize in production – the operating efficiency. And, yes, investing in
might of the Industrial Age – are perhaps connected or “smart†systems should be top-of-
best suited to benefit from the digital technology mind to help bridge any productivity gaps.
that has driven the Information Age. They
already possess large, automated systems that by However, unless plant equipment is
their very nature produce data. Yet, a surprising exceptionally outdated, control and automation
statistic by McKinsey & Company shows that devices can deliver an array of advantages to a
less than 1 percent of all data generated by management structure across a connected mine –
devices within the industrial space is actually adding significant value to an operation.
being used.
By tapping into information solutions
While connected smart devices can improve that cover both the enterprise and production
virtually every aspect of business performance, layers of operations, mining managers gain
there’s still some hesitation among mining greater predictability, make better capital
operators to take the next step toward the investment decisions and even implement
Internet of Things journey for fear that it effective cost-cutting initiatives. On top of this,
requires a costly, large-scale overhaul of control greater connectivity and information sharing
and automation infrastructure. produces value through better operational
intelligence, reduced safety risks, and remote and
But for a majority of mining operations, a autonomous operations support.
wealth of data is already being produced by their
existing infrastructure. The challenge, however, is INCO Engineering, for example, a Prague-
to implement systems that manage that data and based company that designs and builds modern
transform it into actionable information. mining hoists and systems for vertical and
inclined transport in mines, leverages connected
Paul McRoberts, member SME, is Connecting your mining information solutions for remote-monitoring
regional manager, industry min- operation operations. In fact, its remote-monitoring
ing, metals and cement, Rockwell center in the Czech Republic helps improve
Automation, email jpmcroberts@ All mining companies response time in mines by alerting operators and
ra.rockwell.com. should be seeking supervisors of developing issues.
operational improvements
to help maximize yield This real-time reporting is critical for mining
recoveries and boost companies. It can reduce maintenance costs
while improving productivity.
2 APRIL 2017     Mınıng engıneerıng
www.miningengineeringmagazine.com