Big data and technology for mining applications

Mining is all about profitability. But tracking that can prove tricky, particularly when you're relying on people on the ground to report on activities. It all comes down to big data: the more data you can collect, the more information you have at your disposal, and the more insight you have into the business. IOT technology is paving the way for mine optimisation initiatives, says Johan Pietersen, MD of Virtualscape Technologies. "Mines are looking for the ability to gather data for various purposes, including improvements in efficiency and safety. They need to be able to monitor activities, assets and people and make better decisions based on real-time data. AI applied to such data is able to provide a realistic view of the mining operation's performance on an hourly basis, allowing mine managers to make pro-active judgment calls on operational execution to their financial benefit."