In 2019, Worldwide Mining Occasions, the sister firm of Worldwide Mining Journal writer Group Publishing, launched The Electrical Mine convention. Following the preliminary assembly in Toronto that 12 months with round 150 individuals, it has grown to turn out to be the perfect attended and most world of any of the rising variety of occasions masking mine decarbonisation matters.
Right now, The Electrical Mine averages round 750 delegates and is persistently supported by all the primary world mining tools OEMs, expertise suppliers and main mining teams by way of attendance, sponsorship and audio system.
What’s completely different about The Electrical Mine? Initially it sticks to its area of interest – it has centered from the beginning on the tools and expertise, with challenge examples from actual mine websites, and lots of the displays given collectively by expertise suppliers together with mine proprietor operators. This makes it stand out from different generalised forward-looking mining occasions that attempt to embody too many matters and streams, with out entering into the element that mining corporations particularly wish to hear about. Additionally, the scope of The Electrical Mine has allowed us to pivot to replicate adjustments out there – incorporating not simply full battery-electric expertise but in addition retrofits, together with hybrids, IPCC, different fuels and engine expertise – the record goes on.
The following step for IM Occasions was to seek out one other subject the place this method would bear fruit, however it needed to be the suitable one – one thing like electrification, a topic that each one the miners are taking a look at and already introducing, and one thing that has the potential to convey actual disruption to mining by way of security, effectivity and profitability. It has turn out to be clear over the previous two years that this subject is Synthetic Intelligence (AI).
It’s shaping our every day lives already from AI-driven internet searches to self driving automobiles, digital assistants, healthcare – the record is seemingly countless. In mining, it’s already being utilized in subsequent era on-board autonomous haulage techniques, predictive upkeep and processing plant optimisation, ore sorting, mining tyre administration, exploration and power administration. It’s already spanning the entire pit to port worth chain. Combining superior algorithms centered on specific mining processes to massive AI fashions with IoT, Distant Operations Centres, 5G networks, and cloud and edge computing has the potential to revolutionise mining, serving to it get nearer to ‘the holy grail’ of a really autonomous, digital and clever mine.
Its significance in mining is illustrated by investments resembling BHP’s new Business AI Hub in Singapore, launched this 12 months to speed up AI adoption within the mining sector. AI Singapore and AI Innovation Director, Laurence Liew, said: “By strategically deploying AI options to boost decision-making processes, optimise useful resource allocation and enhance predictive upkeep capabilities, BHP is not only bettering operational effectivity – they’re basically reshaping how mining operations could be made smarter, safer and extra sustainable.”
Rio Tinto has additionally invested closely in AI – and has deployed plenty of AI-driven expertise at its most digitalised operation, Gudai-Darri. Along with expertise already in use throughout its operations – resembling autonomous vehicles, trains and drills – it says Gudai-Darri is way extra automated and digitised, together with superior knowledge analytics. Rio Tinto: “This degree of automation permits us to function tools and autos remotely from Perth, bettering security and effectivity. Important improvements embody a digital duplicate of the processing plant that’s accessible in actual time by employees within the area, in addition to built-in mine automation and simulation techniques. Different improvements embody autonomous water carts, a rotable bucket wheel reclaimer and a completely automated laboratory built-in throughout the mine. Gudai-Darri units a benchmark for our business by way of automation and utilizing real-time knowledge to drive choices – making mining safer and extra productive.”
However the actual potential of AI is but to be absolutely understood or realised, whether or not at a particular process or entire mine degree, so it’s an space that may profit vastly from one other technology-driven, top quality convention and exhibition.
So, we’re very excited to disclose the following convention collection from IM Occasions. The Electrical Mine will now be joined by a second occasion, The AI Mine. The primary installment of the occasion will likely be in 2027 – that is to permit us to decide on the suitable location and to ensure we convey collectively the right combination of innovators, expertise and platform suppliers, miners and OEMs. If you’re excited by getting concerned whether or not as an attendee, sponsor, speaker or exhibitor, please attain out to us and we’ll hold you up to date as extra particulars are confirmed.
