Modern Quarrying Q1 2024

twins can significantly reduce operational costs. Companies can minimise equipment downtime, lower maintenance expenses, and manage resources more effectively, contributing to overall cost savings. Lastly, safety is a paramount concern in the mining industry, and digital twins play a pivotal role in enhancing it. They allow for the simulation of emergency scenarios and the monitoring of real-time data related to equipment and environmental conditions. This helps companies prevent accidents, respond to emergencies, and protect the well-being of miners and the environment. Digital twins represent a futuristic approach to mining operations, offering a data driven, real-time view of the industry. Their applications in the mining sector encompass physical assets, processes, and environmental management. The benefits of digital twins are far reaching, from improved efficiency and safety to sustainability and optimised operations. For mining companies, understanding and implementing digital twins is not just a technological choice but a strategic necessity. The impact of digital twins in South African business and IT sectors is also on the rise, making it a significant development in the country’s industrial landscape. As technology continues to evolve, digital twins will play an increasingly vital role in the mining sector’s future.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Digital twins represent a futuristic approach to mining operations, offering a data-driven, real-time view of the industry.

Understanding and implementing digital twins is vital for companies in the mining sector for several compelling reasons.

The adoption of digital twins in the mining sector offers a multitude of benefits that significantly impact operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Safety, a paramount concern in the mining industry, is enhanced through digital twins by simulating emergency scenarios and enabling real-time equipment monitoring, preventing accidents, and facilitating prompt emergency responses.

What is a digital twin? A digital twin is a virtual model designed to accurately reflect a physical object. The object being studied — for example, a wind turbine — is outfitted with various sensors related to vital areas of functionality. These sensors produce data about different aspects of the physical object’s performance, such as energy output, temperature, weather conditions and more. This data is then relayed to a processing system and applied to the digital copy. Once informed with such data, the virtual model can be used to run simulations, study performance issues and generate possible improvements, all with the goal of generating valuable insights — which can then be applied back to the original physical object.

reducing waste, ultimately enhancing resource utilisation. Furthermore, the integration of geological data and models in digital twins helps mining companies better understand the location and quality of resources, aiding in strategic decision-making. The importance of digital twins for mining companies Understanding and implementing digital twins is vital for companies in the mining sector for several compelling reasons. Firstly, digital twins provide a real-time, data-driven representation of mining operations, enabling companies to optimise their processes, resulting in increased efficiency, reduced downtime, and better resource utilisation. By comprehending the digital twin, mining companies can identify bottlenecks and make informed decisions to streamline their operations. Secondly, the improved operational efficiency and predictive maintenance offered by digital

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MODERN QUARRYING QUARTER 1 | 2024