Abstract
Despite executive level attention and increased investments in technology, incidents continue to occur in mining environments. Incident investigations reveal that investments in technology alone are not enough to prevent occurrence. It is the belief of the authors that a multi-pronged approach be applied to prevent incidents, and that the use of technology, although important, is only one component of an incident prevention program. One of the greatest challenges associated with the implementation of technology is not just identifying which technologies to implement, but also bringing sites along for the journey.
Based on work across Tier 1 miners, including Vale Base Metals, we will present and propose an integrated approach to technology scanning, prioritization, and a needs-based site assessment that results in operating-level technology roadmaps which mitigate critical risks for both underground and open pit. This approach is new to the mining industry but derived from learnings from other industries. We will share a model for the future which will impact how mines are managed, including advancements in monitoring, modeling and characterization, and our approach to bring the entire organization along for the ride through a program that sets a foundation for the future.