Mining - May 2023

SMART MINING: THE FUTURE OF RESOURCE EXTRACTION

How Dassault Systèmes is transforming mining with cutting-edge software solutions

Innovators are paving the way for a more resilient, sustainable and efficient future. The rules have changed. It’s time for DISRUPTION.

Tech LIVE Virtual returns to highlight the innovators changing the industry through expert keynote speakers, interactive fireside and panel discussions. This exclusive 1-day virtual event will bring together the greatest voices in the industry for an essential deep dive into the future of Technology, AI and Cyber.

Brought to you by BizClik, Technology, AI and Cyber Magazines, the event will shine a light on essential topics such as the AI revolution, quantum computing, the virtual workplace, technology’s place in sustainability and much more.

It’s time for DISRUPTION.

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Position your business as a pioneer in Technology and showcase your values, products and services at Tech LIVE Virtual.

This is your chance to share your innovations with the technology community by making an impact in front of fellow decision-makers and influencers as well as accessing potential partners via an active and engaged audience.

See you on the 8th June 2023.

▶ Watch our showreel from TECH LIVE London 2022

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MARIAM AHMAD

CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER

SCOTT BIRCH

MANAGING EDITOR

NEIL PERRY

PROOFREADER

JESS GIBSON

CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER

MATT JOHNSON

HEAD OF DESIGN

ANDY WOOLLACOTT

LEAD DESIGNER

HECTOR PENROSE

The Mining Team

FEATURE DESIGNERS

MIMI GUNN

SOPHIE-ANN PINNELL

HECTOR PENROSE

SAM HUBBARD

JUSTIN SMITH

REBEKAH BIRLESON

ADVERT DESIGNERS

JORDAN WOOD

DANILO CARDOSO

CALLUM HOOD

VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGER

KIERAN WAITE

SENIOR VIDEOGRAPHER

HUDSON MELDRUM

DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCERS

MARTA EUGENIO

ERNEST DE NEVE

THOMAS EASTERFORD

DREW HARDMAN

JOSEPH HANNA

SALLY MOUSTAFA

JINGXI WANG

PRODUCTION DIRECTORS

GEORGIA ALLEN

DANIELA KIANICKOVÁ

PRODUCTION MANAGERS

JANE ARNETA

MARIA GONZALEZ

CHARLIE KING

YEVHENIIA SUBBOTINA

MARKETING MANAGER ANDREW STUBBINGS

PROJECT DIRECTORS

MATT ANSELL

CRAIG KILLINGBACK

MIKE SADR

MEDIA SALES DIRECTORS

JAMES WHITE

MANAGING DIRECTOR

LEWIS VAUGHAN

CEO

GLEN WHITE

Data science strikes gold: The future of mining

Welcome to the May issue of Mining Digital, where we look at how data science is continually reshaping mining operations, from mitigating cybersecurity risks to ensuring the safety of workers through proper ventilation and 3D modelling.

Mining as an industry has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible to extract valuable resources from the earth. Now, however, the sector’s undergoing a technological revolution, with new innovations changing the way mines operate, making them safer and more efficient than ever before. But these advancements also bring with them new challenges – particularly in the realm of cybersecurity and data analytics.

Discussions surrounding the role of data science to optimise value chain operations is nothing new. Effective data governance is essential for a capitalintensive industry such as mining; it entails ensuring that data is properly structured and readily available, with consistent standardisation of core dictionaries, terminology, and formulas.

In this issue, we’ve gathered insights from industry experts and thought leaders at the forefront of data, analytics, and cybersecurity in mining.

From the latest trends in data analytics and artificial intelligence to innovative cybersecurity solutions, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key issues facing the industry today.

mariam.ahmad@bizclikmedia.com

“Effective data governance is essential for a capitalintensive industry such as mining”

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FEATURES

24 SUPPLY

CHAINS

AND OPERATIONS

Beyond profits: Prioritising ESG in mining

32 TECHNOLOGY

The future of mining is smart

42

DIGITAL

MINING

The new gold of the digital era: data

50 INDUSTRY X.0

Protecting the Dig: The Importance of Cybersecurity in Mining Operations

58 TOP 1 0 Biggest Mines

BIG PICTURE

Mining Pink Salt

Khewra Salt Mines, Pakistan

Found in kitchens, restaurants, and health food stores all over the world, pink salt’s popularity doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Only found in the Khewra Salt Mines, near the Himalayan foothills in Punjab, Pakistan, the rolling redbrick hills are the salt’s source.

The mine contains approximately 82mn metric tonnes of Himalayan rock salt, out of which 0.35mn tonnes are extracted each year. Approximately 70% of the rock salt that’s extracted is utilised for industrial purposes, while the remaining 30% is deemed suitable for consumption.

Image credit: Muhammad Dawood Hashmi. Khewra Himalayan Pink Salt Mine interior view

JORGE GANOZA

Q. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ROLE AS CEO

» A Peruvian national, I was born and raised in Peru. I'm a geological engineer, educated in the US, and a fourth generation miner. My family has owned and operated mines in Peru, as well as other places in Latin America, and had mining investments in Colombia. So from a very early age, I've been visiting mines. And talk at the dinner table was always about this business, too, of course.

In 2004, I ventured with two other associates – one Venezuelan, the other Canadian – and we put together Fortuna. It was the early days of Fortuna with big hopes, big ideas, and little money. It was really a venture startup in natural resources. I've been at the company's helm since then.

Q. HOW DOES FORTUNA SILVER MINES DIFFERENTIATE ITSELF FROM OTHER COMPANIES IN THE MINING INDUSTRY?

» Back in 2004 or 2005, silver was trading at or around $3 per ounce, while gold was around $350. There was very little attention being paid to silver, and even less so to silver production. There were some established silver producers

We sat down with Fortuna Silver Mines’ CEO and Co-Founder, Jorge Ganoza, to talk about what’s to come for the mining giant

“I believe that most CEOs, not just me, are faced with sometimes volatile demands of investors, which must be balanced against the long-term decisions you must make to grow your business”

already, but not a lot of competition. So we leveraged our knowledge as miners with original expertise in Latin America.

What differentiates us is our deep local knowledge, which allowed us to identify opportunities and an opportunistic moment when there was very little competition for silver mining assets. We were then able to acquire our first mine: the Caylloma Mine in Southern Peru. Shortly after, we were able to acquire a very exciting silver project in southern Mexico, today known as the San Jose Mine – which eventually became a very important mine in the world of silver. In 2005, we acquired a Caylloma Mine.

Q. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT FORTUNA SILVER MINES FACES AS A MINING COMPANY?

» I believe that most CEOs, not just me, are faced with sometimes volatile demands of investors, which have to be balanced against the long-term decisions you must make to grow your business – this is when I go back to strategy.

Over the years, Fortuna has changed its strategy and has adapted. So for many years, we were Latin American-centric, leveraging our knowledge, leveraging our contacts, and our regional expertise. But, after a number of years focusing on silver, we decided to expand our reach to gold to continue expanding the business.

2022

Fortuna’s San Jose Mine in Mexico produced

6.9mn/oz of silver and

259,427 oz

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

In 2021, we made another strategic decision that wasn’t without controversy among our investors – to expand out of Latin America into West Africa. And again, for a company that for years had been leveraging its Latin American expertise, going into a new jurisdiction was also something that needed to be explained. We had to prove to ourselves, as well, that we could operate on a valuable level in a new continent and in a new mining jurisdiction. Balancing this is, I believe, a big part of the CEO's role and probably one of the bigger challenges at times.

Q. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM FORTUNA SILVER MINES IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

» We have a new mine being developed, the Séguéla mine in the Côte d'Ivoire. This is the most exciting development for us because it's our flagship mine. It's a low-cost, meaningful production asset. We’re very excited about this development.

Fortuna is now well-established in the most important mining regions in the world. We operate and are well established throughout the Latin American region, throughout the Cordillera from southern Mexico all the way to Argentina. We are also established in West Africa, which is the most important emerging mining region in the world over the last decade. There is no other place that exhibits the kind of growth in resources and growth in production. In the near future, we will be building upon our portfolio in those regions.

We are a company that has geographic dispersion: we’re established in five different countries, over two continents. In the future, you'll see us cement our presence in these areas, growing our business within the portfolio or in the jurisdictions where we are already established – we believe there’s plenty of opportunity to be identified in those areas. We will not be stepping out into new hunting grounds. You'll see us focused on where we have established the infrastructure that we can leverage in these two most prolific regions.

“What differentiates us is deep local knowledge that allowed us to identify opportunities and an opportunistic moment when there was very little competition for silver mining assets”

THE INSPIRING CAREER OF BHP’S LAURA TYLER

This edition's Lifetime Achievement Award recognises

Laura Tyler's remarkable accomplishments, shattering glass ceilings in the traditionally male-dominated mining industry

Few have had a career as varied as Laura Tyler, Chief Technical Officer at BHP.

Having joined in 2005, she has seen the company go through many transformations – be it ESG strategy or efforts towards inclusivity, Laura is at the frontline of a constantly evolving company.

Tyler was raised in Lancashire, a northern county in England, but currently resides in Adelaide, Australia. Although her mother left school at 15 to work on a farm, she remained determined that all three of her daughters attend university and achieve financial independence. After obtaining a master's degree in mining engineering, Tyler had an epiphany during her early thirties while working as a geologist in Mt Isa.

During a Christmas party, one of the employees’ spouses expressed concern about the potential closure of the copper mine and how she would manage to provide for her children's education if that occurred. This experience highlighted for Tyler the importance of utilising science and engineering to prolong the lifespan of mine sites, which would ensure job security and food for employees and their families. Technology could also be leveraged to improve environmental protection.

In 2018, after serving as BHP's chief geoscientist, she was given the role of president of Olympic Dam, where she was responsible for the safe and

sustainable operation of one of the world’s most significant polymetallic orebodies producing copper, uranium, gold, and silver in remote South Australia.

In 2020, Tyler transitioned to the newly established position of Chief Technical Officer in September. In this role, she oversees all critical technical aspects of the business, including technology, minerals exploration, and centres of excellence and improvement. As CTO, Laura is constantly asking the question of how mining industry leaders can work together to identify ways to encourage more skilled people in the front door.

It is part of her mission to get more people, “not only in the front door, but in the back door, the side door, and lining up-and-down the street, enthused by the prospect of being a technical guru, solving big technical challenges, and doing something for the greater good”.

A geologist herself, Tyler has experienced firsthand the challenges faced by female employees in the mining industry. She recalls times when uniforms were not designed to fit women

“IN OUR NICKEL MINES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA, WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH IDEON TECHNOLOGIES TO USE LEADING-EDGE COSMIC RAY MUON DETECTORS”

AM A

ADVOCATE FOR THE ROLE OF WOMEN

or when female workers had to limit their water intake due to inadequate restroom facilities.

“As someone who once witnessed a group of men down tools when I walked onto the level – because having a woman present was bad luck – and having once been told that working underground was no job for a woman, I am a passionate advocate for the role of women in mining,” she explains.

Constantly reforming BHP’s sustainability strategy through the

utilisation of technology is critical to Tyler’s strategy as the company’s Chief Technology Officer.

Talking at a PDAC mining conference, she mentioned the company’s recent efforts to maximise data collection to push sustainability, stating: “BHP is collaborating with industry partners to develop the next generation of sensors, designed to maximise data collection and minimise the footprint on the ground. Parallel acquisition of magnetics, electromagnetics, gravity, and

“I

PASSIONATE

IN MINING”

potentially passive seismic geophysics will then allow content to be assessed in a holistic petrophysical property model.

“In our nickel mines in Western Australia, we have partnered with Ideon Technologies to use leading-edge cosmic ray muon detectors – underground sensors that can image sulphide orebodies above them – to aid detection and delineation of resources.”

Tyler's impressive career trajectory and expertise in the mining industry have positioned her as a leader in the field. From her early days as a geologist to

her current role as BHP's chief technical officer, she has been committed to improving the sustainability, efficiency, and safety of mining operations.

Her passion for utilising science and engineering to extend the lifespan of mine sites, while protecting the environment and supporting local communities, is a testament to her dedication to the industry. Her story serves as an inspiration for women in STEM fields and highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in the mining sector.

Beyond profits: Prioritising ESG in mining

The mining sector faces its defining moment to produce quantifiable outcomes on environmental, social, and governance fronts. What strategies will be implemented to attain this?

WRITTEN BY: MARIAM AHMAD

The mounting pressure for sectors to actively pursue their respective net-zero goals has put the mining industry in somewhat of a unique – and dare I say –capricious position.

How will an industry that historically approaches environment-focused goals rather lethargically, rapidly evolve to meet sustainability obligations?

All hope is not lost. For many industry thought leaders, this exact problem can, in fact, be reframed as a pivotal moment for growth – a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the mining sector to unlock new sources of value through digitalisation and ESG-focused innovation.

Reimagining ESG goals for the mining sector Jeanette McGill, Vice President and General Manager, Metals & Mining at AspenTech, believes that within these energy transition challenges lie plenty of opportunities. Mining companies can target what AspenTech calls ‘the dual challenge’ – meeting the growing demand for energy and chemicals, while also addressing the risks of climate change in the environment.

“Issues around ESG are becoming increasingly prominent across the mining sector. The latest Ernst and Young report, ‘Top 10 business risks and opportunities for mining and metals in 2023’ highlights: last year’s list of risks was topped by environmental, social and governance (ESG), reflecting miners’ new focus on considering different business models. In fact, ESGrelated issues made up the entire top three risks of last year’s report – each with a significant, distinctive impact that made it impossible to treat them as one risk,” explains McGill.

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49% of companies, ESG forms a standalone discipline within the executive structure

2.2mn litres of water is needed to produce one tonne of lithium

Digitally transforming to meet sustainability goals

Much of AspenTech’s work within the mining sector is helping companies deliver on their responsibility to local communities and their environmental resources, and a fundamental way this is done is through the utilisation of digital transformation. McGill believes that this “will be key” because it offers “companies the ability to keep a lid on emissions and reduce waste, while still driving through operational efficiencies”.

“In the supply chain, for instance, innovative solutions are already helping companies to better integrate materials into their value chains, while advanced process control technologies are helping to lower energy use and waste generation in production processes.”

“Technology allows us to gain insights into the aspects of our daily operations which have historically been on autopilot”

JEANETTE MCGILL VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, METALS & MINING AT ASPENTECH

Almost two-thirds (63%) of mining and metals investors stated that they would consider disinvesting or refraining from investing in mining firms that do not meet their decarbonisation objectives or fail to engage in enough decarbonisation efforts.

Source: Accenture's Global Institutional Investor Study of ESG in Mining, 2022

In terms of addressing the challenge in mining, there are a range of technologies now available that can contribute to this, as explained by McGill: “Digital twin solutions for real-time emission monitoring, for example, can help companies improve monitoring transparency across organisations and maintain compliance under ever-changing emission rules. It’s a capability that, in turn, has the potential to enable mining companies to support and promote more environmental and sustainable mining,”

The effective utilisation and application of data in mining is critical for achieving ESG goals, enabling companies to measure progress, identify areas for improvement, build trust with stakeholders, and manage risks.

“From generating power on microgrids and ‘self-supply’ at the plant level to being able to understand when and where breakdowns will occur, improving efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing reliability, technology allows us to gain insights into the aspects of our daily operations that have historically been

on autopilot. Suddenly, mining companies are realising they need to know what their data means so they know what mechanisms to pull to make improvements. Technology is not only here to stay, but also fundamental to success,” says McGill.

Water, water, everywhere… Sustainable water management is crucial for the mining industry, as water plays a critical role in its profitability. However, unsustainable mining practices can deplete and contaminate large amounts of

“Water stewardship is another key area – and mining operations have a responsibility to local communities and their environmental resources”

JEANETTE MCGILL VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, METALS & MINING AT ASPENTECH

The Future Starts with the Digital Mine

water, leading to harmful effects on local communities and ecosystems. Thus, the mining industry has a three-fold obligation to prioritise sustainable water management to address economic, environmental, and social concerns.

McGill explains: “Water stewardship is another key area – and mining operations have a responsibility to local communities and their environmental resources. These companies must take a proactive approach to water management and look to ESG initiatives as a method for achieving their sustainability goals.”

On the issue of water stewardship, Brandon Richardson, Sr. Industry Marketing Consultant at AspenTech, adds on to this sentiment, stating, “the responsibility thrust upon the mining industry in meeting the Dual Challenge is not simple but is now at the forefront of strategic plans. Water management is a critical aspect of this challenge, and mining companies must

take a proactive approach to minimise their impact on local water resources and communities. Utilising advanced technologies and community engagement not only helps to minimise the impact of mining operations on local water resources and communities but also helps mining companies comply with regulations and reduce environmental impact.”

By utilising water efficiently, safeguarding water quality, and engaging in collaborative management, mining companies can showcase their leadership in water stewardship.

Reshaping mining procurement

For the mining industry, procuring materials is not slowing down anytime soon. The World Bank forecasts a 500% surge in demand for metals and minerals, such as lithium, nickel and graphite, used to produce the clean energy technologies needed to meet Paris Climate Agreement goals.

by AspenTech

WATCH NOW

A finding from Accenture's Global Institutional Investor Study of ESG in Mining found that a modest improvement of just 0.5% more iron (Fe) for a relatively low-grade 58% iron ore product could reduce downstream steel mill emissions by an estimated 0.75% per unit of hot metal or steel produced – far more than the combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions

produced directly by the iron ore mining company. Importantly, beneficiation of the iron ore can bring sizable price premiums – perhaps even 20% according to the company’s predictions.

The key, Accenture says, is having accurate, auditable carbon tracking that starts at the mine and extends along the entire downstream value chain.

Kathryn Jacobs, Managing Director - North America Lead at Accenture states that “today, mining companies have a great opportunity to contribute directly to the green energy transition by providing many of the raw materials at the top of the value chain –copper, lithium, cobalt and nickel. What’s more, if they produce these materials with a lower carbon footprint, they will likely be able to charge a significant price premium.”

“Technology is not only here to stay, but also fundamental to success”

JEANETTE MCGILL VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, METAL & MINING AT ASPENTECH

THE FUTURE OF MINING

Mining Digital sits down with three executives from Europe’s second-largest software company, Dassault Systèmes, to talk about the future of smart mining

WRITTEN BY: MARIAM AHMAD

MINING IS SMART

As other industries move towards a more sustainable, technology-driven future, mining is proving itself to be no exception. Smart mines are revolutionising mining operations for many companies, improving workforce safety, safeguarding data, enhancing productivity and efficiency throughout the value chain, and reducing monitoring and installation costs.

Investing in smart mining technology is crucial for the global mining industry, as it will help to achieve long-term benefits such

as enhanced environmental sustainability, safety, and competitiveness – despite the initial costs.

Dassault Systèmes GEOVIA Software Solutions are helping companies to optimise their operations, increase productivity, prioritise ESG, and reduce costs, one mine at a time. The company is instrumental in facilitating the transition to digitalised mining with its flagship product the 3DExperience® platform, a cloud-based collaborative platform that integrates all the company's software solutions into a single, unified solution.

The 3DExperience® Platform is a business and innovation platform that provides organisations with a holistic, real-time vision of their business activity and ecosystem, while also providing capability in 3D modelling, simulation, collaboration, and information intelligence. The latter is a key ingredient in smart mining.

Software solutions for mining operations

Essentially, Dassault Systemès creates the Virtual Twin Experience, a digital solution that combines advanced virtual modelling and simulation with real-time data feedback from

Stephane Grinard

JOB TITLE: GEOVIA

INDUSTRY PROCESS

CONSULTANT SENIOR DIRECTOR

COMPANY: DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

INDUSTRY: SOFTWARE

CORPORATION

LOCATION: PARIS, FRANCE

Peter Graham

JOB TITLE:

INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY & MATERIALS

INDUSTRY SOLUTION

EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR

COMPANY: DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

INDUSTRY: SOFTWARE

CORPORATION

LOCATION: NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, UK

Victoria Martinez

JOB TITLE: INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY & MATERIALS

SENIOR OFFER MARKETING MANAGER

COMPANY: DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

INDUSTRY: SOFTWARE

CORPORATION

LOCATION: NORTH BRABANT, NETHERLANDS

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real-world operations, helping to help improve and optimise operations. It’s key to the transformation we want to create in the mining industry, as it allows operators to anticipate the virtual world and quickly adjust to changes.

It has become clear to the industry at large that legacy systems and manual processes are no longer enough to help mining companies overcome widespread challenges. Many mining companies are beginning to see the importance of virtual solutions leveraging real-world data to help them plan and execute efficient, safe, and sustainable mining operations that are resilient to disruption.

“Dedicated solutions for capital facilities information management, dedicated systems’ simulation, and product life cycle assessments (LCA) are key in focusing on safety and sustainability”

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

The global smart mining market is expected to reach

Successful implementation of smart mining for clients

Traditionally, mining companies have captured operations data manually before transferring it to an analytics system and communicating between stakeholders by email. This works, but it’s prone to error and is very time-consuming: vital data may take 24 or 48 hours before it reaches a mine manager, too late for that manager to make a change that could improve production, reduce cost or increase sustainability.

To overcome this, 3DExperience® driven technologies can automate much of the monitoring and control capability required. Typical challenges that can be overcome by Smart Mining are the causes of production delays or equipment downtime; actual production compared to target production; how well grade control is performing; and, where the latest data required for production reporting is located.

Mine Operation Management Solution

The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

“Traditionally, mining companies have captured operations data manually before transferring it to an analytics system and communicating between stakeholders by email”

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

fuses together software – including operational control, material reconciliation and asset performance programs – to eliminate the manual handling of information and reliably link all sources of data, from fleet management to weighbridge, laboratory to stockpiles and everything in-between, into one single source of truth.

The result is greater control over mine operations and a better understanding of how today’s production will affect revenue, cash flow, costs and forecasts – leading to better decisions and improved resilience to industry pressures.

€49.12bn

Dassault Systèmes’ market cap as of 2023

20,000 employees originating from more than

140 nationalities

Safeguarding safety and sustainability

Safety and sustainability are the main drivers in the development of Dassault Systemes’ mining solution portfolio and address the key requirements of the industry. These are generally driven by a desire to decarbonise mining operations, use innovation to combat climate change, and optimise the performance of process plants and strategic mineral supply management.

Here, governance of the processes involved in using the 3DExperience® Platform is key in targeting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives. At

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

all stages of mine planning and operation, the platform enables validation of safety and sustainability specifications and regulations.

The journey starts at the project’s conception. For example, a 3DExperience® Virtual Twin dedicated to sustainable land management enables users to govern the environmental impacts of mining in real-time, through digital continuity between spatial analysis, interactive analytics, and data-driven intelligence, thus gaining a complete picture of the project before it’s even implemented. The user can navigate a holistic view of asset performance and operation progress, (past, present and projected future) as part of a designed rehabilitation initiative. This delivers a unified, up-to-date view that facilitates problem-solving and enables efficient rootcause analysis. By digitally connecting users, companies can have visibility into, and control over, synchronisation across their enterprise, enabling the user to access linked IoT-capable systems to provide contextual information about an asset.

A similar approach is deployed during the project development phase to manage the mine’s construction and commissioning, before then handing over to operations. At all stages, knowledge and know-how are collected, thereby leveraging the skills of the people involved and allowing better decisions to be more frequently taken within a shorter time frame.

“Dassault Systèmes GEOVIA Software Solutions are helping companies to optimise their operations, increase productivity, prioritise ESG, and reduce costs, one mine at a time”

Dedicated solutions for capital facilities information management, dedicated systems’ simulation, and product life cycle assessments (LCA) are key in focusing on safety and sustainability. The approach is not entirely new and has been successfully applied to sensitive nuclear power (now also fusion) and infrastructure projects, which have relied on virtual twins to deliver safe, sustainable projects on time and on budget. For example, ITER is an international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject aimed at creating energy through a fusion process similar to that of the Sun.

The evolution of smart mining and keeping pace with the future

It’s expected that smart mining activities will triple by 2025. Meanwhile, 25% of mines will have implemented autonomous operations by then, too, according to Mordor Intelligence. Estimations suggest the mining sector's digital transformation efforts will produce over $460bn in industry value over the next decade.

Smart mining is becoming synonymous with sustainability. To enable sustainability for customers, Dassault Systemès have joined global initiatives promoting sustainable development, such as the European Green Digital Coalition, the United Nations’ Global Compact, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, to name a few. They are highly ranked in the Corporate Knights' Top 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World, as well as in the Clean200 – the annual list of publicly traded companies offering sustainable energy transition solutions.

In terms of solution evolution, Dassault Systemès is not driven by the technology improvement of one particular segment, but instead by all the transformations happening everywhere, in every sector.

The new gold of the

From finding appropriate ventilation levels in mines to sustainability solutions, data-driven analytics is the future of the mining sector

WRITTEN BY: MARIAM AHMAD

From the lithium needed for EV batteries to the tellurium and silicon required to power solar panels, the mining industry’s value is at the forefront of the energy transition, and, as such, of the path to a lowcarbon future.

Now a big blip on the radar of the mining sector, data and analytics are revolutionising the mining industry, helping to optimise value chains by predictive analytics and solutions found by AI. Mining

companies today produce masses of data – finding that insights derived from information possess significant value as they can aid in minimising unexpected operational halts, optimising procedures, enhancing asset efficiency, and attaining more dependable, predictable outcomes.

Maintain versus replace

By leveraging a predictive analytics solution, unrefined data can be transformed into practical insights that can facilitate the early

the digital era: data

detection of malfunctions or areas that could use improvement.

“By assembling the right teams, setting the business up to embrace and drive change, and rapidly delivering results and insights, data-driven innovation is widening the leadership gap for miners.” explains Paul Mitchell, EY Global Mining & Metals Leader.

“Data analytics helps mining companies to optimise how physical assets across the value chain are maintained to minimise and predict operational downtime and ensure the right

work is being done at the right time in the right location across the asset lifecycle.”

The application of this can bring down costs as companies avoid asset failures; Syncrude Canada, for example, saved $20mn in annual operating cost avoidance. After acquiring actionable digital insights that enabled them to modify their operations – in a timely manner so as to ensure environmental compliance – Barrick Gold achieved a significant 45% reduction in environmental-permit deviations.

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Howden’s Ventsim™ CONTROL system is used in 1,500 mines throughout the world, including those owned by Anglo American and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

Data-driven innovation culture means there is a level of preparedness, as Mitchell states: “Companies are shifting away from project-based capital planning to fully integrating advanced analytics into processes, instead, bringing more qualitative judgement into decisions, experiencing better capital productivity and a ‘maintainversus-replace’ outlook.”

Optimising ventilation within mines

In the mining industry, incident response and preparedness are essential practices that play a crucial role. The utilisation of cuttingedge technologies, such as advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), can enhance mining analytics by providing leaders and employees with greater project insights.

“Data analytics will play a key role in supporting miners beyond monitoring and reviewing ESG performance”

PAUL MITCHELL EY GLOBAL MINING & METALS LEADER

From a safety point of view, ventilation is a critical service that an underground mine requires to operate. For leading provider Howden, this takes the form of mine ventilation with its Ventsim™ CONTROL system installed in mines worldwide.

Ventsim™ DESIGN – adopted by over 1,500 mines – is the most popular mine ventilation software in the world. This comprehensive software package integrates mine and tunnel ventilation data with hardware devices to enable the design and testing of ventilation circuits, including critical factors such as airflow, pressure, heat, gases, power, radon, fire, and various other ventilationrelated information.

One of these mines, the South Deep Mine located in Gauteng, South Africa, is one of the largest gold mines in the world. It has partnered with Howden to implement its cutting-edge Ventsim™ CONTROL system, which will help ensure a safe working environment while reducing energy consumption. By integrating the ventilation modelling of the mine with a versatile control system and advanced control strategies, Ventsim™ CONTROL offers a comprehensive solution for monitoring, controlling, and optimising underground mine ventilation.

“Anything that impacts production in the mine is an issue, and there's the safety component as well. At certain temperatures, people can't work or they need to have modified work schedules.

So, with all the data that we're already gathering, we can then use this data to build models and train them to accurately predict the optimum setpoint, based on the location that people will be mining,” explains José Pinedo, Ventsim Sales Manager at Howden.

The capability of remotely and autonomously controlling ventilation devices enables operators to monitor the subterranean mine environment in real-time and promptly respond to changing conditions.

“Everything that the software is doing is captured in a database, and, as of right now, we can trend that data to generate graphs, and we can then import that into a CSV.

“Having that business intelligence side of the reporting is going to help immensely with the people that are using this on a dayto-day basis,” Pinedo concludes.

In-line with ESG strategy

As the industry seeks to strike a balance between minimising environmental damage and preserving productivity for profitability, enhancing operational efficiency has emerged as the preferred approach for reducing emissions.

According to one of EY's recent reports, executives in the mining and metals industry are directing their digital investments towards data-driven innovation, aimed at enabling evidence-based decision-making. The report highlights that the highest

“With all the data that we're already gathering, we can build models and train them to accurately predict the optimum setpoint”

JOSÉ PINEDO VENTSIM SALES MANAGER AT HOWDEN

priorities for mining and metals executives are the development of process intelligence and data analysis, closely followed by the need for new platforms to monitor and report ESG metrics.

“Miners need to improve the availability, rigour, trust and reliability of data to comply with new ESG standards and expectations. At EY, we are using data analytics to help accelerate our clients’ net-zero journeys through solutions such as carbon footprint analytics and combining data analytics with smart sensors and blockchain to better track, monitor, and manage Scope 3,” states Mitchell.

“Data analytics can also help clients achieve net-positive across ESG factors through solutions such as Space Tech and tailings monitoring.

“It will play a key role in supporting miners beyond monitoring and reviewing ESG performance, helping them to achieve and execute sustainability roadmaps, providing greater visibility across asset performance

Ventsim CONTROL Software | Total Mine Ventilation Solutions | Howden

and operations, and demonstrating how their activities are exposed to potentially adverse environmental and social impacts.”

Software companies are integral in this process, helping to assist the mining sector by boosting their environmental and social acceptability.

“Mining is responsible for between 4-7% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and can have a considerable impact on biodiversity,” explains CEO and Co-Founder of AiDash, Abhishek Vinod Singh.

“AiDash addresses such concerns by conducting habitat surveys so that businesses can determine the amount of carbon captured in their land, predict the potential to capture additional carbon, and launch biodiversity net gain programmes on their land – all using accurate data provided through satellite and AI technology.”

It’s worth noting that data-driven insights by these analysts aim to aid miners in making well-informed decisions regarding production and supply chain management, with the overall objective of reducing emissions and strengthening the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, while mitigating risks where possible.

“These insights not only eliminate human error and subjectivity, but also gather data from large areas that are often hard to access. And they do so in days rather than months.

“For businesses seeking to verify their public commitments to reduce their carbon footprint in an industry that’s often criticised for its emissions, the data and insights provided are crucial for credible ESG reporting,” concludes Singh.

“These insights not only eliminate human error and subjectivity, but also gather data from large areas that are often hard to access”

ABISHEK VINOD SINGH CEO & CO-FOUNDER OF AIDASH

PROTECTING THE DIG: THE IMPORTANCE OF CYBERSECURITY IN MINING OPERATIONS

As geopolitical tensions rage on and digitalisation becomes the norm, how will the mining sector safeguard itself against cybersecurity threats? MARIAM

As the mining sector increasingly becomes more focused on digital transformation – with the deployment of autonomous vehicles, IoT networks, and AI – risks associated with cybersecurity grow prevalent.

Just a few months ago, Canadian Copper Mountain Company was the target of a ransomware attack, prompting mill shutdowns. This followed a cyberattack against Aurubis, the world’s second-largest copper producer, which saw the shutdown of the company’s integral IT systems. Aurubis stated that this was “part of a larger attack on the mining and metals industry”.

Those within the mining sector have several ways in which to enhance their digital defences, such as hiring outside professionals or upgrading their own identification and evaluation of potential risk.

The question is, will this prove sufficient enough to outpace cybercriminals, given the measured pace of the cybersecurity industry?

A modern day shakedown

Described as the “modern equivalent to an old-fashioned mafia shakedown” by Paul Gogarty, Cybersecurity Business Lead at ABB, the major cybersecurity threat facing the mining sector is criminal extortion.

“Cybercriminals have turned to the industry as a new revenue stream, targeting industrial systems with the sole purpose of extorting money in exchange for not disrupting operations. Cybercriminals commonly use ransomware to lock out critical systems, rendering them inoperable until a ransom fee is paid to unlock them.

“In other cases, the cybercriminals will target a piece of critical equipment with a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, sending

large volumes of data to the equipment to overload its processor and render it inoperable; again, the business plan is simply pay us to stop and go away,” he explains.

The perfect cyber-threat storm

For decades, mining companies relied on legacy industrial control systems (ICS) that kept them air-gapped from broader corporate IT systems. But, with mounting pressure to improve profitability through

operational efficiencies, organisations have embraced Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies.

Chris Grove, Director at Nozomi Networks

Cybersecurity Strategy, believes that the integration of IoT devices into control systems – and the subsequent connection of once-isolated operational systems with a mine’s entire enterprise network – leaves entire operations open to cyber threats.

“In a recent information security survey, 54% of mining and metals companies suffered a significant cybersecurity incident. Threat actors know that exploiting one weak spot in a mine operator’s IT system can often deliver access to the entire IT/OT network. Attackers are now taking advantage of the cybersecurity gaps present at many mines.

“It’s fair to say that the stakes are high: a successful attack can put mining operations, equipment, data, and employees at risk”

CHRIS GROVE DIRECTOR OF CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY, NOZOMI NETWORKS

“It’s fair to say that the stakes are high: a successful attack can put mining operations, equipment, data, and employees at risk. Even a single safety or environmental incident can impact revenue and significantly compromise market value,” Grove states.

Mitigating the risks

To effectively prepare for potential threats, mine operators must acknowledge that combining their OT and IT systems could increase their network's susceptibility to risks. It’s crucial for them to implement defensive measures to identify and control cyber threats.

To combat the rising incidence of cyber threats, operators will also need to tackle common cybersecurity challenges encountered during operations. These include gaining insight into their OT and IoT networks, rectifying any security vulnerabilities.

Grove explains that there are available technologies that can be employed to develop operational resilience swiftly and effortlessly, while also providing real-time visibility and cybersecurity.

“Without OT and IoT visibility, it proves to be difficult to stay on top of risks. One small change or networking issue can increase exposure to cyber threats and impact production, profits, and IP security. While a fast response to anomalies is critical, spotting issues before they impact mining business operations requires real-time visibility into network assets, connections, and communications.

“By opting for cybersecurity solutions designed for the mining industry, operators enable rapid cyberthreat detection and real-time network monitoring, prompting proactive responses to threat mitigation,” he concludes.

“Most companies (up to 80%) who have paid cybercriminal ransom demands are subject to a second ransomware or DoS attack within 12 months of paying the ransom”

PAUL GOGARTY CYBERSECURITY BUSINESS LEAD, PROCESS INDUSTRIES, ABB

One of the most costly cyberattacks was against Norsk Hydro, one of the largest aluminium producers in the world, costing the company up to $70mn

Coming out on top

With an increasing frequency of threats to control systems, particularly those overseeing industrial processes, mining companies are actively taking action.

One example of this can be seen at Boliden, a Swedish multinational metals, mining, and smelting company, where managers became aware of ABB's Cyber Security Fingerprint service, designed for the ABB Ability™ System 800xA control system.

They requested ABB to conduct the Fingerprint at Boliden's plant to validate their security policies and uncover any previously overlooked areas. Their aim was to enhance their existing measures to mitigate the potential threats of computer viruses and unauthorised access, which could put production, data, equipment, and

personnel at risk. ABB and Boliden have now been successfully implementing the ABB Ability™ Cyber Security Fingerprint services for three years.

“Since delivering the cybersecurity assessments described in this case study, ABB have been working with Boliden to put in place many of our cybersecurity solutions, including a central patch management solution and managed cybersecurity services,” explains Gogarty.

The Cyber Security Fingerprint service offered by ABB has a key feature of identifying areas that require improvement to safeguard against security breaches caused by either careless or malicious actions of company personnel, as well as threats from external hackers via software or USB peripherals.

70% of mining executives have witnessed an increase in the number of disruptive attacks in the previous 12 months

ABB Cyber Security Reference Architecture –the key to secure OT-IT connections: Introduction

Previously, at the Boliden site, ABB had conducted the Cyber Security

Fingerprint service to enhance protection against attacks and viruses on System 800xA. This involved explaining potential methods of breaching security, including new tactics used by hackers, which helped to increase the knowledge of Boliden personnel.

As part of the annual implementation process of the ABB Ability™ Cyber Security

Fingerprint service, all systems within ABB's installed base have now been upgraded to 800xA 6.x. ABB has also meticulously planned and documented Cyber Security activities for Boliden's OT environment for the entire year, which significantly improves Boliden's resilience against both internal and external threats.

WATCH NOW

“To ensure that a cybersecurity incident on one system doesn’t spread across these networks to other systems, ABB recommends micro-segmentation”

PAUL GOGARTY CYBERSECURITY BUSINESS LEAD, PROCESS INDUSTRIES, ABB

BIGGEST

BIGGEST MINES

WRITTEN BY:

Many of the important materials we rely on in our everyday lives can be found in mines dotted around the globe.

The world's largest mines, owned and operated by major industry players, extract tonnes of ore from the earth each day. From coal mines in Germany to copper mines in Chile, there are some truly impressive feats of engineering and human ingenuity.

We explore the planet's 10 biggest mines, the minerals they produce, their locations, and the staggering amount of materials they move each year, while also assessing their overall size and impact on the mining industry as a whole.

From coal to diamond, gold to iron ore, these mines are some of the largest and most productive. Here, we take a closer look at the top 10 biggest mines on the planet

MARIAM AHMAD

Carajas Mine Para, Brazil

Located in the Brazilian state of Para, Carajas Mine is the world’s largest iron ore mine, producing nearly 8bn tonnes of iron ore. The mine is renowned for holding a staggering 66% of the world's iron ore content.

Companhia Vale do Rio Doce owns the mine, with the primary source of energy for the operation coming from the Tucurui Dam's hydroelectric power.

Goldstrike Mine Nevada, USA

Owned by the mining powerhouse Barrick Gold, Goldstrike Mine is the thirdlargest gold mine in the world. Based in Nevada, USA, the mine has proven to be an immensely lucrative source of gold, with a production output of 42mn oz since 1968. The mine comprises the sizeable Betze-Post open-pit mine, along with two underground mines named Meikle and Rodeo.

The Betze-Post mine measures an impressive 2.2km in length and 1.5km in width, while boasting a depth exceeding 0.5km.

Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Cobre Panamá Panama

Approximately 120km to the west of Panama City, Panama, Cobre Panamá is a huge open pit copper mine. With around 4bn tonnes of probable resources, split into four zones, Cobre Panamá is one of the largest mines worldwide.

The mine has a capacity to yield more than 300,000 tonnes of copper a year, along with other precious resources such as gold and silver.

Oyu Tolgoi Gobi desert, Mongolia

In Southern Mongolia, within the Gobi Desert, lies Oyu Tolgoi, which means ‘turquoise hill’. The mine represents the largest financial commitment in Mongolia’s history, with production beginning in 2013.

credit:

The mine produces as much as 2.7mn tonnes of copper, 1.7oz gold, and 1900 tonnes of silver, using underground and pit mining techniques to process as much as 85,000 tonnes of rock a day –this results in 500,000 tonnes of copper a year.

Image

phys.org. Aerial view of Cobre Panama mine in Panama, operated by First Quantum Minerals of Canada, which the government ordered to halt operations

Change is hard. The truth is that many mining companies are still very hesitant about furthering their digital mining transformations in fear of cost of implementation, risk and uncertainty. However, digital solutions from AVEVA can help mining companies reduce complexity and optimize business and operational performance.

aveva.com

@avevagroup

linkedin.com/company/aveva

For more information, read our free E-Book on Digital Mining Transformation.

06

Mirny mine Siberia, Russia

Located in Siberia, Russia, Mirny mine is an open pit mine and is one of the biggest man made holes on earth – with a diameter of 3,900ft and reaching a maximum depth of 1,700ft.

Of all the stones found in Mirny, the largest was discovered in 1980, weighing 342 carats. The lemonyellow diamond was named the ‘26th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union’.

05

The Grasberg Mine

Punack Jaya, Indonesia

Found near Indonesia’s tallest mountain, Punack Jaya, the Grasberg Mine boasts one of the largest gold and copper reserves of any known place on the planet. On-site, there is a large open pit mine that measures 2km on the surface as well as an underground mine. It is estimated that there are 15.1mn tonnes of copper, 884 tonnes of gold, and more than 4,000 tonnes of silver still in the rock.

Jwaneng diamond mine Botswana

The richest diamond mine in the world, located in south-central Botswana, is open pit and covers an area of 130 acres.

The Jwaneng diamond mine is owned by Debswana, a partnership between the De Beers company and the government of Botswana. It is the second newest of four mines operated by the company, having begun operations in 1982.

With 2,100 employees, the mine produces almost 10mn tonnes of ore a year and retrieves an average of 11mn carats per year.

Chuquicamata mine Chile

Chuquicamata is the largest open pit copper mine in terms of excavated volume in the world. It is located in the north of Chile, outside Calama.

People have been sourcing copper from the region for many centuries, with evidence of ancient works found across the site.

Measuring 4.3 miles and 3,000 ft deep, current production sees half-a-million tonnes of copper extracted a year. With facilities already in place to increase this by 50%, production at this mine is not due to slow down anytime soon.

Image credit: Cretep. High-security administration building and transportation machinery below, Jwaneng Diamond Mine, Botswana.

Garzweiler surface mine Germany

In the North-Rhine valley of Germany, the Garzweiler coal mine has an incredible size of 48sqkm and uses giant, bucketwheel excavators to cut through the ground.

The Garzweiler mine operates in a three-shift system and extracts as much as 30mn tonnes of lignite annually. The extracted lignite is then conveyed through a belt and transported via industrial railway to the Neurath and Niederaussem power stations, where it is utilised for power generation.

It is not yet known what effect the plan to phase out all coal-fired power plants in Germany by 2038 will have on the Garzweiler lignite mine system.

Image credit: Martin Falbisoner. The Tagebau Garzweiler is a surface mine in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is operated by RWE and used for mining lignite.

Image credit: Raimond Spekking. Bucket wheel excavators in Garzweiler surface mine

Bingham Canyon Mine

Salt Lake City, Utah

Located south-west to Salt Lake City, Utah, Bingham Canyon Mine is the largest manmade hole on the planet, producing the most copper of any mine in history, an estimated yield of 19mn tonnes.

The pit measures more than 1.2km deep

and 4km wide, covering 3sqm of distance – and is visible to the naked eye from orbiting spacecraft.

Each year, the mine produces 300,000 tonnes of copper, 13.7 tonnes of gold, 137 tonnes of silver, and almost 9100 tonnes of molybdenum, totaling around $2bn per year.

Investment is currently in place to expand the mine further in the next decade.

Bingham Canyon Mine: The World's Deepest Open Pit Mine

The Portfolio