The growing use of digitisation and automation technologies has great power to improve efficiencies and productivity; but the real challenges are ensuring these technologies help address the key risks that threaten sustainability, and that stakeholders understand that success will extend mine lives and associated economic activity.
A social licence to operate retains its top spot in management consultancy EY’s 10 most important risks and opportunities for the mining and metals industry.
The economic lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, in which millions of jobs are estimated to have been lost, will only mean greater poverty – including in the communities around mines. A holistic and integrated approach to mines’ range of challenges and risks is now more important than ever.
Efficiency for longevity
At a high level, digitisation and automation technologies promise to make a crucial difference where it really matters for South Africa: in keeping the sector’s current job opportunities alive. In a mature sector like ours, and in a difficult economic environment, we are currently not creating many new minerals projects that might replace our old mines. Rather, we are experiencing a steady ageing of operations as they approach inevitable closure.
Read the full article in Mining Review Africa
