Capital Equipment News September 2019

DIGITALISATION IN MINING

One of the key areas that can impact productivity positively through digitalisation is minimisation

of unplanned downtime and unpredictable breakdowns.

Managing variability and enhancing productivity

the key areas that can impact productivity positively through digitalisation is minimisation of unplanned downtime and unpredictable breakdowns. While planned regular maintenance is a necessity in the running of machinery used in mining operations, unplanned downtime can cost as much as five times than a planned event, which can significantly erode profits. “Digitalisation is one of the emerging key tools that can be used to mitigate potential exposure to unwanted downtime by instantly connecting machine users and OEM experts through a digital platform that has the ability to monitor machine health and offer the predictive ability to foretell when in the future a machine is likely to fail,” says Ntsele. “This enables a proactive

W ith several other industries already embracing the digital revolution, mining has recognised the potential of digital and technology innovations that could transform and invigorate the industry and is starting to move quickly to catch up. With profits down, miners are focused on improving their productivity through the digital revolution. Is digitalisation the answer to the industry’s quest for improved productivity? Charles Ntsele, Metso’s Africa Market Area, GM Mining Sales, says one of The mining industry is at an inflection point, where digital technologies have the potential to unlock new ways of managing variability and enhancing productivity. Is the potential to achieve such a breakthrough within the industry’s reach through digitalisation? By Munesu Shoko.

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