By Dawn Larsen
There are 10 plus one reasons companies are choosing automation technology, according to Epiroc.
1. ๐๐ง๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ: Advanced software automation enhances predictability by utilizing more than 99% of data collected from mining exploratory technology. This ensures that investors, managers, and stakeholders have access to valuable and timely exploratory information.
2. ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ: Intelligent software automation eliminates guesswork in making adjustments, providing a solution for the unpredictable nature of mines. This minimizes production slowdowns and helps in cost mitigation.
3. ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Software and robotic automation contribute to cost reduction by enabling more efficient resource extraction and optimizing information from data collection devices. This paves the way for leaner and more efficient mining operations.
4. ๐๐ง๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Robotic, automated equipment improves safety in mines by enabling workers to use technology more efficiently. Teleremote-operated mining equipment, for instance, can operate in hazardous areas that jeopardize mine personnelโs safety.
5. ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ฒ: Eliminating guesswork in mining equipment operation enhances fuel efficiency, resulting in significant reductions in operating costs.
6. ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐: Automation, both in terms of software for real-time data analysis and the use of automated technology, minimizes unscheduled maintenance, thereby reducing downtime and its associated costs.
7. ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ: Automation of certain mine operation functions helps mitigate losses caused by labor shortages, particularly in times of lower commodity prices. Some routine tasks can now be performed by robots instead of human workers.
8. ๐๐ง๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ: Before commencing mining operations, software automation and robotic technology aid executives in understanding the subsurface conditions, enabling informed investment decisions.
9. ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ: Automated equipment enables better decision-making regarding resource extraction from remote mining locations, overcoming the challenges of transporting equipment and miners to these sites.
10. ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Ultimately, Epirocโs Automation Technology allows mining companies to extract resources more efficiently, leading to increased productivity and profitability.
10 + 1. ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ: Epirocโs Automation Technology reduces the total cost of ownership by optimizing processes, minimizing maintenance expenses, and improving overall operational efficiency in the long run.
Epiroc, www.epiroc.com
Dawn Larsen writes about Digital Solutions and Mine Productivity Utilization for Epiroc. You can read her e-newsletter Mine Digitalisation News on LinkedIn.