While the adoption and pursuit of digital transformation in the mining sector can be far more complex than in some other industries, embracing technology and evolving will be key for the South African mining sector to remain competitive at a global level.

The application of digital technologies, both in their current form and in future digital forms, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, Big Data analytics and the Internet of Things, is increasingly pivotal to mining success.

Mining companies that understand and use these technologies as enablers are the ones most likely to thrive going forward, according to speakers during a webinar hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand’s Joburg Centre for Software Engineering.

“When we look at mining, what people do not comprehend is that the mining value chain is extremely complex,” says Sibanye-Stillwater technology and innovation head Alex Fenn, noting that the infrastructure varies from space to space and that achieving digital transformation is far less simple than it would be, for example, in a factory.

Despite this complexity, digital transformation holds numerous benefits.

“The aggregated benefits across the value chain are huge. That is why we are working towards becoming a digital-first organisation that creates cultures, structures, and processes which support digital transformation.

“Digital transformation is a key enabler to value delivery that is both incredibly specific and all encompassing,” he adds.

While mining software specialist Accutrak CEO Pierre Swart agrees with a whole-view approach to digital transformation, he believes that optimising data is crucial to any digital transformation initiative.

“Everything, for me, boils down to the optimisation of data at the end of the day. If we have accurate data, we can analyse it to identify patterns, or when patterns break. We can create business improvement tools and start to use predictive algorithms that can tell us that something will likely happen before it does.”

Information and communication technology giant Huawei solutions manager Gys Malan adds that connectivity is core to data optimisation.

“What one absolutely cannot miss when it comes to thinking about a digitally transformed mine is connectivity,” he says, explaining that, often, this is neglected when mines try to embrace digital transformation.

A typical mine may need a combination of several different technologies to meet its connectivity needs, with different options for transporting the data from sensors embedded in different parts of the mine to upper layer platforms, he explains.

Further, it is important to be able to integrate the data from different platforms to create a central “data lake”, which allows for easier central decisionmaking.

“At Huawei, we assist our mining clients to achieve these objectives with a variety of products and services. When it comes to connectivity, for instance, our fifth-generation and private long-term evolution offerings allow for large amounts of data to be transmitted at very low latencies.”

WiFi and fibre will also continue to have important roles to play in mines around the world.

There is a need to diversify the communication technologies used, based on environmental factors and application requirements, he says, warning against the use of a single technology.

Overall, if mining is to continue playing an important role in South Africa, then it must digitally transform, but in a selective manner that best suits a particular mine’s requirements and aspiration, taking into account South Africa’s unique circumstances, including the orebody depth and labour intensity of the country’s mining operations.

Mining plays a critical role in South Africa’s economy, contributing R400-billion to gross domestic product in 2020 and employing more than 450 000 people.