Commencement of NSW Mining Rehabilitation Reforms
September 15, 2021
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Diamond Mining
September 21, 2021
Mining has come a long way since the early days of sifting for gold with a pan, to now be the nation’s leading exporter and a vital contributor to the Australian economy. However, technology, current affairs and the drive for efficiency will continue to shape mining operations in Australia.
In this article the mining lawyers and environmental consultants at Hetherington will be exploring just a few ways we may see mining change in the years to come.
Increased mining work health and safety
Mining companies within Australia have continued to increase the mining work health and safety of their operations due to stricter regulations, social conscience and improving technologies that empower them to do so.
Mining work health and safety has already played a crucial role in reducing the occurrence of mining incidents and catastrophes. Here are a few new technologies that may increase mine-site safety even further:
- Smart sensors could prevent health and safety related incidents for companies by enabling them to undertake predictive maintenance instead of reactive maintenance. This will in turn improve safety due to reduced malfunction of equipment, while also preventing costly delays in operations.
- Electric vehicles will improve safety, particularly in tight, enclosed spaces where diesel fumes can have an adverse effect on health and safety.
- The increasing introduction of automated transport and automated technologies that replace high-risk human roles will also increasingly improve safety.
Increased productivity
Productivity is critical in mining. Innovative companies with in-house R&D resources and specialist tech entrepreneurs are always working on ways to increase productivity, remove risk and increase revenue. Here are a few ways we may see productivity increase:
- Data analytics will increasingly provide insights into possibilities for increasing efficiency, boosting return on investment, and so much more including land tenure and land access agreement.
- New technology capable of distinguishing between valuable minerals and waste material will spare companies from wasting their time and money by attempting to mine areas which are not commercially viable.
- Improved processing. Once harvested, minerals must be sorted and processed, two areas where many businesses currently operate at less than optimum levels. Digital sorting technologies will enable faster, more accurate identification and sorting.
- New scanning technologies such as geo-spatial data, hyperspectral core imaging and 3D mapping are already allowing mining companies to increase exploration efficiency and exploration compliance.
- Automated transport may reduce wasted time, as it can operate 24/7 without breaks. The possibilities here are endless because a vehicle stopping can have flow-on effects that effect efficiency down the line.
- Automated transport will also reduce fuel costs, which are not insignificant for many companies that operate in remote areas such as parts of Western Australia.
- Drones will continue to play a vital role as they develop improved functionality, both in terms of exploration but also increasingly in the processing space.
- Artificial intelligence will increasingly ensure that human error cannot have a costly impact and that the program of work is carried out soundly. For example, Integrated Operating Centres (IOCs) may be taken up more by businesses looking to use integrated suites of comprehensive information to promptly inform decisions.
- Digital Twins relate to AI and involve businesses using high-tech systems to create simulations of products or operations informed by live data. This has the potential to provide live advice on decision-making that is second to none.
Increased responsibility
Social and environmental responsibility has always formed a crucial part of tenement compliance but in our modern world, it is increasingly relevant to mining companies and mining lawyers – as is taking responsibility for ensuring the mining sector can continue as a pillar of the Australian economy. Here are some ways companies may onboard more responsibility while operating on mining leases:
- Increasing innovation in the carbon capture technology space. Some mining companies are looking at capturing carbon from the atmosphere and reusing it for another purpose. The Federal Government has already demonstrated their support of this idea through announcing a $500 million investment in April.
- Transparency for investors. Cryptocurrency remains niche in the mining world but is utilised by numerous prominent operators. Certain blockchain platforms may provide businesses a way of effortlessly conveying to investors and consumers the process by which a mineral is mined through to its sale. This may also make it easier to meet tenement compliance
- Universities and mining companies are looking at how they can partner together to ensure a flow of skilled, specialised young Australians entering the mining workforce. This may include the generation of new, purpose-built degrees relevant to the mining sector.
On a final note, we can anticipate stricter mining regulations going forward, as the government responds to concerns about climate and environment.
Mining lawyers at Hetherington can assist with tenement management to ensure that under these stricter regulations, you can still obtain tenements and operate as planned. For assistance, to apply for tenement or to renew tenement, contact a Hetherington tenement consultant today on 02 9967 4844 (Sydney), 08 9228 9977 (Perth), or 07 3236 1768 (Brisbane).