Tech in Mining weekly #2
Hello everyone, hope you're all doing well! This week, we're going to cover some frontier technologies that are pushing the envelope across the mining value chain.
🗞Interesting frontier tech
Some mines have started adopting automation technology, and we expect that COVID-19 will accelerate mines to start deploying automation for increased safety and productivity. Mining firm OZ minerals recently upgraded automation for Sandvik development drills and are hoping for a 10% increase in machine productivity. More here
NextTech AR solutions, a Canadian company is partnering with Romios mine in Canada to develop 3d core samples in augmented reality (AR). They expect to use this as a way for potential investors to view samples without having to visit the site. More here
Companies like Minerva and Windfall Geotek are creating MLpowered solutions to enhance exploration efforts. Geologists spend up to 80% of their time searching for and preparing data, and solutions that can aid the process will be extremely critical to reduce the time from exploration data to drilling to months. More here on Windfall Geotek and here for Minerva
Mine ventilation can account for 30-40% of underground mining electricity cost, and companies have made headways into improving this system ranging from sensor-based intelligent airflow to using fractured rocks to improve cooling. We are more excited about the electrification of vehicles in the longer term given Nitrogen dioxide emissions from diesel vehicles account for the majority of ventilation concerns. More here
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