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Best in Australian and the world on stage at IMARC

Best in Australian and the world on stage at IMARC

Visitors to Australia’s largest mining event, the 5th Annual International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), will present a bevy of mining titans from Australia and around the world offering their insight into all aspect of mining, from exploration to investment, production to optimisation through to new technologies including automation.

Speaking at the Global Mining Principles that contribute to sustainable development, Gary Goldberg, President & Chief Executive Officer of gold major Newmont says that the industry can expect advances in technology to continue improving safety, productivity and efficiency in mining operations.

“While automation can deliver benefits in a number of areas, it must be considered holistically within the business and evaluated through the lenses of value creation, viability and social responsibility.

“Our operators are currently running semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles at some of our underground operations in Nevada, Ghana and Australia,” said Goldberg.

The company recently partnered with Caterpillar to validate and further enhance the technology, believing that a collaborative effort will help improve the reliability and function of automated underground vehicles and take it to the next level.

Professor Elizabeth Croft, Dean of Engineering at Monash University echoes Goldberg’s thoughts on the safety and efficiency benefits of automation but adds that the industry will also need a higher skilled workforce with strong technical skills.

“Automation and roboticization are opening up more opportunities for higher skilled work beyond the dull, repetitive and dangerous tasks often associated with mining.

“These workers will use more technologically based solutions to support the industry, creating whole new products we haven’t yet imagined, which we can then sell to the rest of the world. With these new technologies and practices embedded into the industry, we’re also envisioning 50% women in senior levels as the new industry norm,” said Professor Croft.

Thank you to IMARC for providing two passes to the upcoming IMARC Conference as a door prize at our August Luncheon. Two lucky WA Mining Club members will be attending the event taking place in Melbourne at the end of October.