What are the different global approaches towards mining practices? What are challenges in mining maintenance?
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Mining practices vary depending on the country and the level of local technology available. In many small, diverse regions of the world, artisanal mining is a significant business. In technologically advanced countries, mining is a large-scale corporate operation.
Background on Mining
Small-scale mining is a means of livelihood in about 80 countries around the world and occurs in a wide variety of geographic locations. Locations such as Asia, Central America, South America, Oceania, and sub-Saharan Africa are primary artisanal mining locations.
According to the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining Knowledge Sharing Archive, the number of artisanal mines may be more than 40 million, while other sources estimate that number is more than twice that high. This dwarfs the 7 million individuals working in industrial mines worldwide.
Roughly half of the small-scale miners are focused on gold extraction. Many other artisanal miners extract sapphire, diamond, and other precious gemstones.
Trends in Global Mining
Over the past 10 years, productivity has fallen in mining as companies place output as their highest priority.
The productivity drop can be seen in individual measures, such as a decrease in labor productivity by one-third over the last 12 years in South African gold mines, or in more global, comprehensive measures of labor, capital, and material.
Mining executives reported that most of the responses to productivity drops have been focused on cutting costs, which is really a short-term, stop-gap solution. Instead, the necessary response should be a more comprehensive end-to-end systemic solution. Technology, better data management, and empowering the mining workforce to discover and implement new solutions will be critical to the future of the industry.
Environmental Impacts
Mining activities can have significant environmental impacts including air pollution, water pollution, land damage, and loss of biodiversity in not only the local areas, but also throughout the world.
Air Pollution
When mineral deposits are extracted through mining, additional unrefined particles can be released into the air. Wind and traffic can stir dangerous elements such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic into the air, which can then be inhaled by the local population.
Water Pollution
The local water supply may also be contaminated through mining activity. Heavy metals, acids, and increased sediment can leach into streams and groundwater sources. These consequences can affect irrigation, water supply, fishing, swimming, and aquatic life negatively.
Land Damage
Through mining activity, open pits and rock byproducts can significantly change the local landscape. Besides soil erosion and disruption of plant growth, mining can cause sinkholes and other land instability. This can affect the future of mining in the area, as well as road and infrastructure projects.
Loss Of Biodiversity
Often, mining can have long-term catastrophic effects on the area’s biodiversity in ways that may not immediately be seen. Mining results in major habitat loss for everything from the tiniest microorganism through large mammals, as well as destroying a wide variety of plants and flora. In some cases, this can lead to the total extinction of certain living creatures.
What are challenges in mining maintenance & how do I improve my maintenance program?
The greatest challenges in mining maintenance are safety, high costs, and accessing remote equipment. Data, planning, IIoT, and training can help overcome these challenges.
Common challenges in mining maintenance
Following are some of the most common challenges:
Safety
Safety is always a major challenge in mining. For example, in 2017, the private mining industry saw 10,200 nonfatal injuries and 112 fatal injuries—higher than most industries.
High costs
According to the World Economic Forum, the cost of copper mining increased over 300% over the previous 15 years, so mining costs are rising. In addition, a mining operation can easily spend a staggering 35% to 50% of its operating budget on equipment maintenance alone.
Equipment monitoring and access
Mining operations often have to maintain equipment located in far flung or inaccessible locations. The lack of accessibility makes preventive maintenance and inspections difficult to perform regularly.
Improving mining maintenance
Fortunately, there are many ways in which mining operations can reduce costs and improve safety in their maintenance processes.
Gathering data
Any attempt to improve a maintenance program begins with data. Monitoring for the following can help:
Set goals
Once you have enough data to know where you’re at, set some goals. These goals can be based on ISO 55000 standards, benchmarking with other companies, manufacturer recommendations, or world class maintenance standards.
Monitor equipment with IIoT devices
A cost-effective way to solve the issue with hard-to-access equipment is with condition monitoring using IIoT devices. Using remote telemetry to keep a close eye on important pieces of mining equipment can yield cost savings of up to 12% over regular preventive maintenance.
Emphasize safety training
Safety in mining operations often comes down to training. Training maintenance personnel in safety practices such as lockout tagout procedures and the wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment) can go a long way.
Gathering data and continuous improvement
IIoT technology coupled with a CMMS can make the data-gathering process much easier when it comes to mining maintenance planning. As you implement the above strategies, you’ll be able to use the data you gather to tighten your maintenance processes, boost productivity, and improve safety.
The Future of Mining
The mining industry as a whole is at a critical point in its existence. In order to stay productive while minimizing detrimental effects on the environment, mining companies must take advantage of the many evolving digital technologies available. Here are some key areas that mining businesses must embrace moving forward:
Data Collection
Sensor technology has increased in power and dropped in price in recent years, making it a powerful tool for industries such as mining. By embedding a wide variety of sensors within the mining operation, you can collect critical data around the clock. This data is sent to a centralized system such as a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) where it can be compiled, analyzed and used to make smarter business decisions. Consider that one day’s worth of data collected in 2015 generated more information than all data collected through 2003.
Artificial Intelligence
Machines and computers continue to gain power in terms of learning based on existing data and conditions. As a result, more accurate predictions can be made about when detrimental things may occur. This allows mining companies to embrace predictive maintenance tasks, which result in fewer accidents and less environmental damage.
Sophisticated Tools
Technology allows the mining data to not only be analyzed, but to serve miners during their daily tasks. For example, smart goggles can walk miners through complex tasks and protective clothing may be embedded with sensors that can detect hazardous conditions before health impacts are created.
Robotics
Robotic technology can allow dangerous mining work to be completed by machines instead of by humans, minimizing the risk of loss of life or dangerous mining accidents. In addition, when you combine robotic technology with data collection and machine learning, tasks may be completed in a safer and more sustainable manner, as well.