Mining South Africa
Cyber Threats on the Rise in Mining & Manufacturing Industries
Image sourced from Software ONE. Increasingly companies are looking to adopt smart technologies to optimise production and decision-making in order to create businesses of the future. However, as reliance on autonomous and digital technology grows, so too does the risk of cyber-attacks. As technologies become more interconnected, the potential cybersecurity threats and attack vectors are growing. The consequences of these threats can be severe, resulting in production and revenue losses, regulatory fines, reputational damage, as well as the shutdown of critical infrastructures. This has been further compounded by the complexities and uptake of smart systems that use advanced technologies such as machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT). Mining, Manufacturing Under Threat Termed ‘S...
Digital Transformation Crucial for the Future of Mining in South Africa
Mining has played a crucial role in South Africa’s economy for the best part of two centuries. And while it may not play as big a role as it once did, it still contributed R400-billion to GDP in 2020 and employed more than 450 000 people. But if the sector is to remain competitive at a global level, it has to evolve particularly when it comes to embracing digital transformation. Digital Transformation in Mining Presents Unique Challenges While South Africa’s unique circumstances should be taken into account, especially when it comes to factors such as the orebody depth and labour intensity of the country’s mining operations, that doesn’t mean that mining companies should shy away from digital transformation. The application of digital technologies, both in their current form and in future ...
How Tech is Changing the Mining Industry’s Future
Sourced from Mining Weekly. The mining industry across the globe is currently undergoing a technological paradigm shift. Mines of the future will require advanced technologies and mining operators are all set to embrace the new digital technologies to gain a competitive advantage. For centuries, mining has provided us with the raw materials that have enabled us to develop our economies and build communities. Mining as an industry has been maturing over the last few decades on the back of an ever-increasing demand for resources on one side, and a need for sustainability on the other. Even though there have been challenges in the South African mining industry for several years, it still employs nearly 5% of South Africa’s employed workforce, makes a significant direct contribution to GDP, si...
The Rise of IoT in Mining
The latest research study conducted by Inmarsat found that the global mining sector is undergoing an Internet of Things (IoT) revolution with respondents reporting significant increases in adoption of connected technologies. Mining organisations reported successes in implementing projects to safeguard workers via remote tracking, monitor drilling, and observe acid mine drainage remotely. However, despite this progress, a range of challenges are hindering the sector’s ability to reap the rewards that IoT has to offer. According to the research, most organisations (65%) have fully deployed at least one IoT project, while 33% are trialling or have trialled a project, with only 2% of respondents not having begun an IoT project. Noticeably, there is considerable geographical variance in IoT ado...
