AMN - Innovation can transform African mining – comment by Yolanda Torrisi

Innovation and technology have major roles to play in improving mining efficiency and productivity throughout the African continent, not to mention lifting safety standards and reducing the industry’s environmental footprint. This is particularly important in South Africa where the long-established mining industry must lift its game or continue along a rocky road that could eventually lead to oblivion.

In terms of safety, zero harm is indeed something that must be on the agenda at all mines, but collaboration and innovation must play a role otherwise it could well be a pipedream.

If the mining industry in Africa is to take full benefit of the cyclical upswing, along with future highs and lows, as well as be competitive at a global level, innovation is the key. Rather than just talking the talk about technology, industry players must get serious about implementing it and walk the walk, otherwise, they run the risk of being left behind.

As well as implementing innovation generated at a local and regional level, it is important for the industry in Africa to look to outside mining powerhouses for worthwhile innovative technologies, such as Australia, Canada and Germany.

It is important that the industry is prepared to look outside the square in this regard, and even to consider innovation from other industries that may be applicable to mining. Just because something has been done in a certain way successfully in the past, doesn’t mean that it will work in the future or that there is not technology available to do it better.

There are mining companies operating at broad levels that are taking innovation seriously and are reaping the benefits. An example is Rio Tinto and the words of its Iron Ore CEO Chris Salisbury are relevant to the industry at a global level, including Africa.

“As an industry, I believe we need to be more outward looking and longer term in our perspective. There is a responsibility on all of us – whether we are in business or government or wherever – to tell our innovation stories and describe the journey that is happening, including what this translates to for our community and what it means for broader society.

“In our business, innovation and technology are not standalone items, they are embedded in our thinking and our planning. We have a clear and focused strategy, with the deployment of technology and innovation central to it. One of the challenges in this regard is the rate of change of technology and the continual assessment of how business value may be added as a result. At all times, innovation needs to be linked back to the strategy.

“One of the biggest issues we are facing is making use of the considerable data we collect – from all sorts of data points across the operational supply chain - from an individual haul truck to the mining system as a whole. How is this best interpreted and used? Do we have the right data analytics skills in-house and, if not, how do we develop them?” he asks.

All mining companies would do well to follow this lead. Collaboration is also vital when it comes to research and the need for social and environmental innovation. Mining needs to work with government, representative organisations and educational establishments, including the best and brightest minds, to ensure it mining doesn’t fall behind.

Yolanda Torrisi is Chairperson of The African Mining Network and comments on African mining issues and the growing global interest in the continent. Contact:yolanda@yolandatorrisi.com