DIGITAL REVOLUTION 4.0" IN THE RAW MATERIALS AND MINING INDUSTRY

By: Philippine Resources June 28, 2022

By: Christoph Klötzer, Hakan Arden Kahraman and Michalis Katapotis

The concept of 'Industrial Revolution 4.0' first introduced in Germany and has rapidly spread to other developed countries, describes the ongoing automation of traditional production and industrial applications using modern digital technology.  In this new era of Industrial Revolution 4.0, the mining industry too has inevitably started to focus on technology and digitalisation.  As there are many challenges ahead in this transformation process, DMT’s approach to this new era is to offer innovative and holistic Industry 4.0 solutions developed through a fastidious strategy which is expected in assisting to shape the autonomous mining vision of the future.  DMT’s approach to digital transformation is to go through initially a "Digital Due Diligence Process" to assess the existing business, identify digital potentials and operating opportunities and define a digitalisation roadmap.  DMT’s recommendation is that this process is accompanied by independent engineering and technology advice coming from an experienced partner in process design who will establish a Digital Transformation Office.  This approach includes three fundamental components:

  • “Operations” which cover the services used to provide companies with comprehensive guidance and support, systematic approaches to continually expand the offering of digital products and services covering the entire lifecycle of raw material extraction such as Reconnaissance, Exploration, Planning and Project Evaluation, Construction, Optimisation of Mining Operations, Environmental Aspects, Mine Closure and Site Remediation;
  • “People" which covers a corresponding digital transformation program for all employees of mining companies;
  • “Processes” which covers process optimisation for its Clients’ operations.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (or “Industrial Revolution 4.0”), has already identified a number of structural transformation and paradigm shifts in the societies that are expected in the coming years (Schwab, 2016).  These include:

  • The Internet of and for Things;
  • Automated vehicles;
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Decision-Making;
  • Robotics and Services;
  • Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain;
  • The Sharing Economy (the use of a physical good/asset, or share service or provide a service by sharing);
  • 3D Printing in Manufacturing, Human health and Consumer Products;

As more of the “things” start to communicate and interact with each other in a more smart and artificial way in this Fourth Industrial Revolution particularly in the developed countries, it is inevitable that the mining segment will also benefit from this latest transformation in these economies. 

Considering the competitive nature of the business, the large international mining companies have already started to adjust themselves by digitising their mining operations across the value chain in line with the future generation of mines.  This obviously requires a remodelling of the business for growth and sustainability while using digital technology and innovation as a catalytic enabler within an existing legacy environment that behave like individual isolated units along the route from mine to processing to transport. 

Based on its long-proven ability to capture new developments and integrate them into its core competencies, DMT is passionate about the digitisation of existing products and services and on the development of new digital business models.


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