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oPInIon

Exploration’s digital

revolution Perth, Western Australia 21
November 9 - 10

he potential for digital disruption to for a detailed and predictive understand- eficiation variability and of course waste
Tand in, the exploration and mining in- ing of the properties that matter to the streams. If much of this data can be col-
dustry has been widely recognised and operation. Decisions that impact value lected during exploration, the value addi-
discussed, but as yet, the opportunities creation and loss or have environmental tion is amplified.
are not being fully realised. impacts, such as supporting reduction of Take modern cars as a good exam-
With the speed that technological ad- emissions or waste could be made ear- ple, they encompass complex software
vancements are ac- to support the driver
during this COVID-19 “ Perhaps the greatest gains from apparently millions of Perth, Western Australia 21
celerating, it is easy
with information to
make decisions, with
to imagine that tomor-
row’s world could be
unrecognisable. Con-
lines of code involved.
November 9 - 10
this disruptive transition to a digital
sider how we have
This compute capabil-
ity is nothing without
all rapidly adapted to
future could come from the flexibility these
working
feeding the real-time
technol-
data, from GPS, cam-
pandemic, differently advances in technology, real time data, and the series of sensors
ogy is at the forefront tools for decisions, could enable for a future eras, light, rain and
of enabling us to stay workforce, ultimately attracting more talent radar sensors to name
connected, to help just a few.
us keep working, to and workforce diversity to our industry and As deployment of
access and process future-proofing our ability to manage and sensors across all in-
data remotely. This, dustries and facets The world’s pre-eminent gold exploration event
of course, also ap- build resilience against such shocks… of daily life becomes
plies to our world of widespread and pro-
exploration and min- vides new streams of 25 years of world-class discoveries from
ing where new and in- information support-
novative technologies are being ing end-users to make better and 43 countries around the globe
developed to ensure safer, more quicker decisions with reduced
sustainable, and consistent op- uncertainty, we can also expect
erations and production. a new generation of users who
Could the current crisis en- expect such data, want more,
courage a wave of new digital im- and embrace the opportunities it
plementation to operations? gives them.
The development of a digital Although automation is chang-
mine requires the use of smart ing job roles, people are essen-
sensors for data capture and tial to operations as they’re a lot
analysis throughout the mining more creative and can respond to
value chain. Sensing for high exceptional circumstances more
quality data at different staging points lier in planning, design and engineering, effectively.
can reduce uncertainty and risk, but to resulting in improved triple bottom line Perhaps the greatest gains from this
achieve a predictive approach that al- benefits. All with greater certainty for, disruptive transition to a digital future
lows for management of variability, the decision-makers, investors and boards. could come from the flexibility these
focus needs to be on very high quality The ability to sense and map mineral- advances in technology, real time data,
and targeted sensing points, building on ogy is a good example, it could be more and tools for decisions, could enable for www.newgengold.com
detailed ‘characterisation’ that generates valuable to the triple bottom line of an a future workforce, ultimately attract-
quality data up front. operation than just sensing grade. This ing more talent and workforce diversity
This then supports a detailed model of becomes apparent when considering to our industry and future-proofing our For all enquiries about presenting, exhibiting or attending please contact
the mineral deposit including the com- clay mineralogy; clay content can con- ability to manage and build resilience
ponents of overburden, ore and gangue, trol hardness (and thus energy budget against such shocks, as the COVID-19
that is the crux of all subsequent plan- for comminution), can impact waste pandemic, keeping us working remotely, Mitchelle Matambo on (+61) 8 9321 0355 or email mitchelle@paydirt.com.au
ning and decision making. Although hard materials and waste storage, moisture and even more enabled and productive.
to win, that investment up front, could content of certain ore streams. Predic-
provide boards and executives greater tion and management of these factors Dr Rob Hough is Director, CSIRO Jointly organised by:
certainty on future performance includ- via multi-scale sensing – downhole, on Mineral Resources (acting).
ing value from productivity, safety and mine faces, benches, material on trucks, This article first appeared in Issue 20
environmental outcomes. conveyors and stockpiles – enable bet- of Resourceful
Intelligent orebody knowledge allows ter decision-making for mine plans, ben- Keith Yates & Associates Pty Ltd

Page 50 aUgUST 2020 aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT