The future of mining is remote “Tomorrow’s winning strategy was invented 40 years ago”
I
n recent decades, the single most talked-about issue in the mining business is no doubt “automation”. A word that immediately makes us think of increasingly sophisticated information and communication systems.
Ultimately, the real key word here is rather “integration” and, in one sense, there is nothing new about
World Mining Magazine www.ogsmag.com
102
that. To meet the ever-present need for productivity and workplace safety, especially underground, the world’s mining operators have always strived to optimize their production processes. Which, in turn, have always called for the bird’s-eyes point-of-view. And an integrated outlook, ensuring that every step along the production process contributes to a smooth, integrated workflow. The world’s most sophisticated automation systems and processes
are, to a great extent, built on decades of more or less universal mining challenges, and a wealth of hands-on experience. A true pioneer in both automation and integration is LKAB in northern Sweden. Over the past 40 years or so they have paved the way for modern methods, combining the never-ending chase for competitive productivity with environmental awareness and innovative solutions for workplace safety.
