Australian mining is at a nexus point.

Innovation is now transforming the mining industry as we know it – and Australian miners must adopt new alternate models to compete successfully, says industry expert Professor Paul Lever.

“We are at one of those Kodak moments,” Professor Lever warns. “Businesses can change very quickly and the mining industry must realise this as well.”

Professor Lever is the CEO of Mining3, the world’s leading research organisation for the mining industry. Mining3 works with global mining industry members to develop and deliver transformational technology to improve productivity, sustainability, and safety.

Professor Lever says mining is now in a transitioning phase.

“It won’t be a giant leap, but a series of steps that allows us to solve industry problems and improve efficiency and productivity.”

Innovation and automation hold the key to the future for mining companies globally, he says.

But as most mining companies have traditionally changed slowly, it could be a difficult path forward.

Need for a complete framework

“The focus now will be on latest technologies and getting the most out of them in terms of productivity.

“We are on the verge and need to develop a complete framework to transform how mining needs to operate and how we operate successful companies in that framework.

“We are at a nexus point I believe for some very significant changes.”

Professor Lever will take part in a panel discussion at the AIMEX Conference (Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition) in Sydney on August 30.

The theme will be: “Championing technology and innovation in ‘new normal’ environment.”

The panellists, which includeJeanette McGill, Head of Telstra Mining Services and Steve Burgess, Executive General Manager Operations Excellence, Centennial Coal will discuss why mining companies should embrace technology and innovation to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and stay competitive.

Professor Lever says in the past Australian mining has led the way in driving innovation globally, but there is no room for complacency.

Turning ideas into outcomes

Investment in research and development is vital, he says. And funding from industry and government has been drying up since the mining boom.

“We need mining companies that are willing research partners to support turning ideas into outcomes. In addition, research organisations need to become more efficient and more effective in these partnerships.”

Since 1991, Mining3 has developed ground-breaking innovations and global solutions that have significantly improved industry profitability, productivity and safety.

The secret to Mining3’s success is its close collaboration with mining companies, researchers and OEM’s.

Mining3 is a partnership between CRCMining and the CSIRO Mineral Resources group formed in July last year.

The partnership brings together significant mining research capabilities to effectively deliver research and innovative technologies for its members and the global mining industry.

Mining3’s ground breaking solutions include the development of the SmartCap, a fatigue monitoring tool designed to enhance workplace safety.

The SmartCap was developed specifically for the mining industry and has now been introduced to a broad cross section of industries globally to help combat driver fatigue.

Other innovations include:

• The development of alternative explosives to reduce harmful gases, minimising the risk of NOx fumes
• A new method for cutting very hard rock with compact mining equipment
• A camera based positioning system for locating and tracking underground vehicles within one metre accuracy
• A new continuous cable bolt drilling technique, negating the need for mechanically handling drill rods, which minimises the risk for workers 

Professor Lever says robotics and automation will play a key role in the mines of the future.

“It’s not about the removal of humans,” he says. “Robotics doesn’t mean operating without humans – but in different ways.

“The jobs humans will be doing in the future will be higher paid jobs and more technically experienced jobs.

“If we look at transformational changes for mining in the future, robotics and automation will be a key part of that … and a key component of what those systems will need to look like.

“We need to devise systems where we can measure and maximise performance.

“And all processes have to be connected in a way that will be socially suitable for mines to operate environmentally and socially with community engagement.”

AIMEX International Mining Exhibition

Where:  Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park 

When: August 29-31