The mining industry is undergoing several technical advancements that are encouraging sustainable mining practices. Digital technology plays a major role in offering a modern, productive, and safe mine that can meet the rising demands for minerals and metals along with surpassing the expectations of the customer and global initiatives for sustainability.
Some of the latest technological innovations are
Spatial Data Visualization
The mining industry is experiencing an exciting transformation through geospatial or spatial data. The outline of spatial data is turning out to be clearer and more detailed than before. 3D modeling offers a viewable, close-to-real impression with detailed perception, helping human brains to identify and relate to complicated interrelated problems. They help mines to reimagine their mines most effectively.
Virtual reality or VR is a software environment created artificially and makes use of real-life information. The virtual world drags people to a 3D environment. The magnified impression offered by VR helps miners to experience the situation of working in a mine or to plan the working of a mine without the need to be there physically.
Augmented reality or AR provides a digital visualization of the real world. It enhances the visual field of the user through inputs generated with computers such as video, sound, graphics, and applications. AR is used by miners for training through virtual simulators, helping the industry to minimize the costs of equipment maintenance.
The effective use of spatial data will help the mining industry to get a deeper understanding of the mining system at a low cost and with lesser environmental impact. The journey of the mining industry to a future that allows virtual construction as well as the deconstruction of mines, plants, buildings, and all related infrastructure will transform the whole world.
Geographic Information Systems
GIS or Geographic information systems are an unavoidable tool helping miners to study the influence of geographical relationships in the world we live in. Miners can use GIS to solve many real-life problems where accessibility and location are crucial.
Geospatial data is a representation of the shape, size, and location of an object. The visualization of this data helps miners to get more awareness of the mining environment or the represented system. GIS provides detailed insights into hydrology and geochemical data, regulatory compliance and sustainability, generating reports, and exploration of mines.
In the mining process, the use of geospatial data software will help train employees and mine managers in the most modern ways, enhancing the long-term relationship of mining with the different virtual representations of real-life situations.
Artificial Intelligence
AI or artificial intelligence now plays a big role in the mining industry. Machine learning and smart data are used to improve production workflow, mine safety, and operational efficiency. The use of AI technology creates everyday information in half the time it was done before.
The evolution of the mining industry is happening rapidly and both AI and machine learning influence various choices of the miners to make the future brighter. Ai will also help the industry to ensure reliability and safety for the lands used for mining as well as the miners.