GMG Austmine Forum Program

Keynote presentation: Michelle Ash, Technology Executive, OZ Minerals

The Road to Net Zero 

To meet our industry’s decarbonization targets will require broad collaboration to accelerate technology development, share implementation practices and develop not only the net zero mine of the future, but the bridging technologies and processes to meet shorter term commitments. From redesigning the mining fleet to redefining mining processes and energy sources, this segment of the program will include presentations and a panel from operators, innovators and organizations spearheading collaborative solution development. An interactive session will aim to prioritize focuses and define steps to meet critical requirements to enable GHG reductions at the pace and scale to meet targets. 

Key considerations: 

• Bridging and transitional technologies: continuous mining methods, smaller vehicles, trolley-assist systems, biofuels, efficiency optimization technologies 
• Electrification: battery management, mine design, long-term planning 
• Clean energy management: energy sources across the value chain, alternative energy options for mines off the power grid 
• Clear methods of accounting for emissions

Autonomous Solutions for Increased Safety, Productivity and Efficiency 

Continuing to advance the mining industry’s ability to deploy autonomous mining solutions remains an industry priority to increase safety and operational excellence. Building on successful deployments and the knowledge and expertise developed, and considering emerging options, the opportunities to rethink how we mine require not only innovation and technology development, but also a foundation of clear standards, good practices, and collaboration. This session will include a panel of experts to discuss the path forward to the next level of autonomous mining, presentations from leading innovators as well as a consideration of how to address the skills challenge 

Key topics include: 

• Challenges: integration of data from multiple sensors, design adjustments, integration of collision avoidance and decision support systems, workforce changes 
• Opportunities: improvements in safety systems and human-systems integration, incremental adoption pathwards 
• Key considerations: safety systems, human factors and alarms, productivity and performance, data management 

Innovation in the New World

The next decade will see an acceleration of disruptive change to the energy, transport and mining sectors as we work towards decarbonisation and creation of a sustainable supply of raw materials.

What was driving innovation in the past is different to what is driving innovation today and into the future.

Michelle Ash shares some of the innovation priorities for OZ Minerals in the context of a modern and rapidly changing world. Priorities that include creation of value for all stakeholders and decarbonisation mean that innovation is being driven by those themes.

Approaches for accelerating innovation is also changing and Michelle shares some examples of where OZ Minerals is Thinking and Acting Differently.

Autonomously Connected Ecosystems

From automation to autonomy, Hexagon is unlocking the future of operations through its autonomously connected ecosystems, assisting operations in making decisions in the right time to enhance their operations.

In this presentation, Rob Daw, Chief Innovation Officer for Hexagon’s Mining division, discusses how Hexagon is leveraging its world class technology to drive autonomy as we look at some examples of the solutions in the market today.

AI and Data Management 

As technology capability grows and new solutions are developed to help mines become safer, more productive, more sustainable, and more efficient, there is a growing interest in using advanced systems and analytics such as AI models to process data, but it is essential to be ready for it. Many operations are not yet at a high enough maturity level to successfully adopt them. This segment of the program will demonstrate some of the new options and capabilities that can now be deployed as well as the major challenges and requirements that must be addressed. Presentations and a panel discussion will bring industry leaders together to share their expertise, to be joined by the participants in an interactive session to leverage broad experience and define a path forward. 

Key topics include: 

• Standardization and common language: improved integration and reduced need for translation; adoption of advanced systems; improved internal communication; change management and existing standards 
• Integration and multiple vendors: distributed responsibility, cross-functional IoT data, autonomous systems, human factors 

• Data quality, reliability and management: reliability and veracity, architectures, feedback mechanisms, granularity and retention, latency, access, data-driven decision making and readiness for advanced systems 
• Unlocking value from existing data and using the insights for decision-making is a key challenge, especially scaling platforms to target the right areas
• People, education and skills: fundamental training, regional variation, IT-OT challenges 

Implementation of Emerging Technologies 

We have long lamented that the mining industry is slow to innovate, but what can we do to change it? How do we shift to an innovation culture in mining? Players are moving at different speeds, creating technology readiness gaps, and the lack of best-in-class operational processes, data management and training just compound the challenge. 

To enable innovation and technology advancement will require new focuses on operational readiness and change management, as well as alignment and clarity of process to meeting evolving regulatory requirements and regional differences. 

This session will showcase leaders with innovation and technology advancement success stories, with particular focus on AI, cybersecurity, data management, and shifting the mindset. 

Key topics include: 

• Data integration and management: integration of data from diverse sensors and sources, reliability including latency, processing, storage and access, and human factors and responsibility 
• People, safety, workforce and training: skills shortages, becoming more connected to exacerbate challenges associated with operational silos, and education and training 

Six AI Mistakes to Avoid

AI and Machine Learning has been the “new frontier” now for the past several years, and very rapidly taking a strong foothold in the mining sector over the last few years. Like any new territory, there’s some huge potential for amazing benefits but there’s also plenty of false starts, dead ends, terrible roads and more than a little hype and overblown promises. This presentation will unpack a shortlist of mistakes you definitely want to avoid in your AI journey. It will also provide the basis for intelligent conversations about AI solutions within mining companies, as well as between mining operators and vendors.