Future Of Mining In Australia: Automation's Impact

A drone saw a big hole in the ground where coal comes from. The drone was in the sky looking down.

The Covid-19 pandemic caused lockdowns and social distancing. This made many industries go towards automation. Mining and metals companies think automation is important for safety, productivity, and profit.

Australia is a big mineral producer. Its mines are automating quickly. They need to keep up with competition. Australia has the most autonomous mining trucks in the world. It has 706 in 2022. This is up from 561 in 2021. Canada has the second-most with 177. China is in third with 69.

OT automation uses driverless trucks and equipment, while IT automation involves automatic software processes and AI programming. Mining production and efficiency have improved with recent developments in both OT and IT automation. However, the long-term effects of these advancements on the mining workforce are uncertain.

Different types of vehicles working together. Working as one team. Combining strengths and abilities. Achieving a common goal together. A powerful force on the road.

Epiroc and ASI Mining finished a new self-driving truck solution in January. It will work for Roy Hill's mixed fleet of 96 trucks. They took two years to test it but now they can start selling it. This technology is important because it can work with any equipment, so it's very flexible.

All companies can use this. No need for mining companies to stick to one truck maker for years. They can switch whenever they want.

Roy Hill will use technology to make their fleet of 96 trucks driverless. They have already converted 10 trucks using automation systems. These trucks use a virtual map to navigate and communicate with other trucks and an operations center in Perth, 2000km away.

Epiroc says test fleet is safe and productive. Fleet works non-stop, more efficient than human workers. Autonomy replaces tired drivers, as Rio Tinto explains.

Newcrest will start testing 4G and 5G tech underground at Cadia Valley Operations. The goal is to improve productivity, efficiency, and safety. Ericsson and Telstra Purple will help deploy the trial network. Ericsson's private 5G solutions will assess cellular approaches for coverage and capacity needs. The trial will happen in the upcoming months.

The new tech will use 4G and 5G radios. It will have antenna systems for better connectivity. Ericsson's signal booster tech will also be used.

The mining industry is giving more attention to wireless connectivity as part of IT automation. They are utilizing 4G and 5G to improve connections to robotic operations in mines. Wireless communication is crucial to the success of autonomous trucks, which need data and GPS to navigate underground tunnels.

The mining industry is expected to rapidly grow in terms of 5G technology over the next six years. The surface mining sector is predicted to have the most demand for this. This is according to a recent report released.

Drones can operate with the help of artificial intelligence. AI systems in drones can help them navigate through difficult terrain. The technology in drones can allow them to take high-quality images and videos which can be beneficial in various industries. Drone usage in agriculture can help monitor crops, assess damage, or spray pesticides. With the help of AI systems, drones can also be used in search and rescue missions as well as patrolling for security purposes. Drones are becoming an increasingly important tool in various industries due to their versatility and efficiency.

Self-flying drones need good 4G and 5G connections. They use AI technology to help mines be more efficient, accurate, and safe. Drones reach parts of mines that are dangerous or hard to get to. They give mine workers a view of the whole site, which helps them make maps. Drones keep an eye on mining equipment and buildings to see if they need fixing. This helps reduce mining costs.

CEO Christopher Clark talked about how AI is changing drone autonomy in mining at a webinar in March. Delta Drone International hosted it.

Clark said that the mix of drone autonomy and AI can create something special. AI can spot people and vehicles using thermal imagery from drones. If we put this with autonomous drone-in-a-box tech, it means drones can fly regularly in dangerous spots. The drones will only fly when they see a person or vehicle. It's a cool chance for drone autonomy and AI to work together.

AI software lets drones monitor alarms. Drones fly by themselves when the alarm goes off. They go to specific places and record videos. Then they send the videos to a command center. People don't need to control them.

Is it about keeping miners safe or not having enough workers? Companies must prioritize both. Safety should always come first, but a lack of workers could lead to more accidents. Companies should provide sufficient training and safe working conditions to keep their employees safe. But they must also work to attract and retain workers, offering competitive wages and benefits. Ignoring either aspect could jeopardize the success of the company and the well-being of its employees.

There have been many problems in the mining sector this year. People are protesting because mining damages the environment and human rights. Workers and indigenous communities are upset because their livelihoods are affected and the working conditions are bad. Two miners in an Australian mine died in an accident when their vehicle fell into a deep hole.

Automation is needed in mining to reduce dangerous situations where humans are present. The tragedy at Dugald River could have been prevented if miners were not in the vehicle. However, automation brings a new problem where there is not enough work or workers.

Automated machinery caused fewer jobs for machinery operators and labour workers in mining. The industry moves closer to software and algorithms, so skilled workers are necessary. McKinsey says 1 out of every 16 workers, about 100 million globally, will need to switch jobs by 2030 to be tech-savvy miners.

Mining companies need more skilled workers in specialized areas like mine planning and data science. But there's a problem - not many young people want to work in the mining industry because of its bad reputation for environmental and social issues. In Australia alone, enrollment in mining engineering programs has dropped by 63% since 2014. This shortage of skilled workers is expected to continue.

Mines use automation to produce more stuff. But, it makes it hard for mining companies to grow because the people who can use and fix the technology are hard to find. Some places are planning ahead. The Queensland government has a $3m plan to teach people in the mining industry the skills they need to keep working. Nobody knows how to balance robots and people yet.