Mining is one of the most dangerous sectors for working. It is having a tendency for unpredictable disasters almost every hour. For instance, teams often require to physically remove some types of minerals. With this involves a jeopardy of injury because of the falling debris. There were 71 fatalities from mine-related work accidents in the US alone in 2010. By 2020, that number had decreased by 50%. Therefore, in this blog, we will discuss the importance of safety with AI and IoT in the mining industry.
Also read: Improving Mine Site Safety With RFID Technology
What is IoT in the Mining Industry?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is referring to the extension of Internet connectivity to take in physical devices and ordinary objects. These devices, which are outfitted with electronics, Internet connectivity, and other types of different technologies, are able to communicate and interact with others over the industrial Internet and be remotely controlled and monitored.
There are several benefits of AI and IoT in the mining industry for cost optimization and effectiveness. As well as for enhancing safety measures and meeting artificial intelligence requirements.
What is AI in the Mining Industry?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the expansion of computer systems. These can execute tasks that typically require human intelligence. For example, visual or sensory perception and decision-making. Artificial intelligence is implemented daily in things such as chatbots, self-driving haul trucks, manufacturing robots, learning platforms, digitized smart assistants, and weather forecasting systems.
The mining industry is working hard for integrating Artificial Intelligence into its processes and critical processes. The combination of AI and IoT in the mining industry will be improving the automation and remotization of activities and processes. Hence, driving towards increased productivity, decreased risks, cost-effectiveness, higher quality, and more sustainable operation. All while mitigating the demand for workers on site and facilitating prediction, planning, and remote working.
Get in touch with us to know more about IoT Solutions!
The Advantages of IoT and AI Integration in the Mining Industry
Cost Optimization
The key motivation for organizations to apply IoT in their mining operations is to increase productivity, decrease costs and advance sustainability. Diggers will be using huge sets of data, also known as big data, for finding more cost-effective approaches to conducting their operations. And therefore, further developing proficiency along these lines by installing sensors on mining hardware and systems that are able to monitor equipment.
Furthermore, sensor deployment can also help in reducing operational downtime by a considerable margin. Since companies are able to apply the data collected to teach their gear and prevent faults and damages. The automatization and remotization of several different activities facilitate reducing labor requirements, and increasing worker productivity and safety. Ultimately, it will lead to substantial cost savings prospects and productivity gains.
Also Read: Top IoT Solutions That Can Enhance Your Guest Experience
Predictive Mining Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is costing six to ten times less than reactive maintenance and prevents production halts. Thus, helping to make sure the operational process continuity of the mine. Moreover, checking each aspect of an activity will become simpler with an entirely connected network. Therefore, ensuring a more obvious functionality and security. It involves quickly detecting wear and tear on important pieces of equipment and predicting when repairs or maintenance are needed.
Greater Control
Administrators are able to obtain valuable insights in real time and program algorithms. In order to facilitate them in making better decisions by acquiring, monitoring, and analyzing data from particular mining equipment. IoT further helps administrators in understanding when there is a breakdown or reduction in performance. Therefore, enabling them for responding promptly and appropriately. AI facilitates in automating part of the decision-making process and supporting decision-making processes.
On the other hand, each rock crushed is money in the bank in the mining sector. Administrators are not able to bear having their systems inoperative for a few hours while they will be waiting for an engineer to arrive. Since it will be resulting in a considerable loss of productivity. While AI and IoT in the mining industry can help in reducing downtime, issues will arise, and when they do, every second matters in the time for fixing them. Nonetheless, the IoT and AI can assist in this segment as well.
Reduced Pollution Levels, H2O and CO2 Footprint
The optimization and reorganization of processes and systems and the displacement of the workforce not only help in saving money. However, it also helps in reducing energy consumption, water usage, and CO2 emissions.
For example, AI and IoT in the mining industry can help us in optimizing dust control measures for haul roads and crushers. All by making sure that we apply the correct dose of dust control additives and water at the required time. That too, in the right way. This will not only help in improving dust control on the mine site but will also mitigate associated water, manpower, additives, energy, and CO2 emissions by 50%. In the cases of haul roads, it will as well decrease the mishappenings of trucks hydroplaning and road maintenance frequency. Hence, preventing accidents, and loss of productivity.
Also read: How IoT Technology is Transforming the Mining Industry
The Future of the Mining Industry and The Risk to Mitigate
Mine site connectivity is one of the major challenges for digitalization of the mine sites. As the world is getting equipped with more and more satellites offering better geolocalisation and telecommunications, as well as private telecommunication networks are becoming less expensive, and the implementation of 4G LTE and 5G technologies are reducing latency times. And therefore, boosting the adoption will improve the use of AI and IoT in the mining industry.
Get in touch with us to know more!
