This year, The University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Mining Engineering hosted a mining industry forum, with a focus on the application of technology in mining.

The two-day forum was co-hosted by mining engineering group, Sandvik Mining, and presented a platform for a range of technology specialists to engage fellow mining peers and the media on the latest technologies and best practice applied to the mining industry.

Topical highlights in the two-day conference included:

Technology in harsh environments

Professor Fred Cawood stated that making technology work in harsh underground environments would be the challenge in the mining industry over the next three years. He said that digital technology could help in understanding environments better, as margins for profits in mining get smaller, calling for a different way of doing things. “in the next 20 to 30 years, there will be a huge change in mining layout, and it will become important to manage ore resources with the management of the workforce, and we will also experience a revolution in communication technologies” said Professsor Cawood.

Better Economics  

In addition sustainable development was highlighted as a key factor in mining operations going forward, and this implies safer mines and smaller environmental impacts and better economies. An investment in future mining technology is essential and mechanised and automation I mining achieves better economics, Professor Cawood explained. He added that the vision in applying technology to mining is to achieve safety, efficiency and reliable underground data in real time. The goal is to develop a mock-up mine and develop a ‘smart’ mine laboratory for hosting digital technologies.

Technology VS Jobs   

As the use of new technologies in mining increases, fewer jobs will be created in the sector. However Paseka Leeuw (mining engineer and Wits lecturer in beneficiation economics),  believed that greater technology intensity in mining would have to spill-over benefits for mining contractors and OEM, thus creating jobs in other industries.