The mining industry globally is in a crisis, owing to the pull-back in commodity prices, which has exposed an industry where productivity levels have been declining over the past decade.

Additionally, investment in capital, equipment and tech-nology has been significant during this same period. However, it is now not producing the returns investors expected.

“In fact, in many instances, mines have become lossmaking operations, owing to cost pres-sures on declining commodity prices,” states the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM).

The SAIMM says it is for these reasons that, in collaboration with local and international profes-sional and educational institutes, regional chambers of mines, mining companies, governments, suppliers and thought leaders, it is “driving collaborative trans-formation” in the industry.
The SAIMM’s New Technology and Innovation colloquium, to be held at Emperors Palace, in Johannesburg, from June 9 to 10, is just one example of an extensive conference programme that the SAIMM drives annually.

The institute highlights that the future competitiveness of the Southern African mining industry is dependent on transforming itself into an “agile and efficient” industry that can rapidly respond to changes in global commodity prices and demand.

The SAIMM says that this will ensure a new integrated operating model, adoption of appropriate latest technologies, embracement of the digital revolution in terms of information systems, ability to generate insights and operational control rooms.

The SAIMM states that its con-ference will showcase leading-edge technology, processes and practices that have been employed in the industry and will showcase “the art of the possible” for the future of mining.

This conference will include presentations on what is being done on ultra-low-profile min- ing for platinum mines, autono-mous equipment, short-inter- val control for resource optimisa-tion, performance management frameworks which aim to “revolu-tionise” the mining operating model, and many other case studies from the industry.
“Mining is a critical part of the Southern African economy and the industry needs to collaborate to drive the transformation required to ensure a sustainable future for the sector,” the SAIMM concludes.