Modern Mining October 2020

systems. We are developing an API so mines can use the full power of AutoMine on non-Sandvik equip- ment,” explains McCoy. He highlights that Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology’s experience in this field is substantial, demonstrated by the fact that OptiMine has been installed at many sites across the world. “OptiMine is currently working in more than 66 mines around the globe, and miners are understanding the value – financial and otherwise – of analytics and process optimisation,” concludes McCoy. 

Inter-operability is therefore a vital aspect of the digitalisation planning. The systems, he says, will be reliant on transferring data between each other, so mine operators have to consider, firstly, a partner that can assist them with the change management pro- cess and one that understands the requirements of implementing digital tools, and secondly, a partner that is able to work with other systems to integrate all the data generated on site for them to have the overall picture of the mine. “With Sandvik’s interoperability policy, we can interface with any third-party system to provide the customer with tools to drive continuous improve- ment in their day-to day-operations,” he says. When it comes to digital products, Sandvik is spe- cifically focused on Short Interval Control through its OptiMine Scheduling and Task Management mod- ules and process optimisation through its OptiMine Analytics modules. Sandvik can also connect non- OEM equipment to this system through its Newtrax offering. “There are many other fields such as Mine Visulatisation, Augmented Reality, Digital Twins and Real Time Smart Scheduling, among others. OptiMine is built on an open architecture which allows us to work with any other software solu- tion providers the mine may have to help integrate

Key takeaways  With mines battling to achieve the same output with less people due to the COVID-19 pandemic, digitalisation has become even more vital in helping operations deal with their ever-increasing safety, productivity and profit- ability challenges  Digitalisation enables mine operators to take the ‘roof’ off the mining oper- ations and get feedback on what is happening in real time  Adopting a phased approach and showing the value each component delivers helps digest the upfront investment required in infrastructure and networks  With Sandvik’s interoperability policy, the company can interface with any third-party system to provide the customer with digital tools to drive con- tinuous improvement in their day-to day-operations