How Mining Technology has changed

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Technology has made tremendous changes to different areas, including mining. This has dramatically transformed how manual labor is done. In the past, mining was a risky and exhausting task. Most of the work was entirely dependent on human resources. People were central to this industry. This brought about several disadvantages, such as safety problems or low output. Luckily, with the advent of new technologies, most of these problems are a thing of the past. Here are some major developments that have revolutionalized the Mining Technology.

Virtual Reality

Previously, people carried out mining without knowing what to expect. The equipment and technology available at that time did not cater for that. In the modern world, mining is more intelligent. Through techniques such as spatial data visualization, it is possible to create accurate 3D models. Miners can equip themselves with all the necessary knowledge before going to the site.

Additionally, they can also train using a digital recreation of the real world, which allows them to recreate and demolish virtual aspects within a few hours. Thus, miners do not have to go to the field to gain experience; they can do that in the comfort of their training centers. This has significantly helped in saving the equipment costs and improved safety for miners.

Drones

Apart from transforming other fields such as photography, drones have also improved the mining industry. They are a much cheaper option compared to helicopters. Miners use them for activities such as surveillance of possible hazardous areas, which further provides miner’s safety. Assets are also easily managed using drones as they provide real-time footage, which makes inspection easier. Drones have remarkably improved safety standards in the field as they require minimal supervision, thanks to the remote control system.

Artificial Intelligence

Several crucial decisions and procedures are now primarily controlled by Artificial Intelligence. Mining safety, production, and operational efficiency are extremely transformed. Using smart data, they can locate the position of certain minerals. This reduces the cost and time taken in tracking certain minerals. Through minimal interference with the environment, they achieve sustainability and environmental conservation. Through AI, miners developed small self-driving tracks that can navigate narrow tunnels that specific machines or humans cannot. Miners do not have to squeeze in tunnels that could collapse, which risks their lives significantly. The drilling systems have also had a considerable upgrade. Now, a single operator can control several drills in different pits. The efficiency that this technology provides increases productivity tremendously.

Remote Operations

Mines are high-risk areas. Disasters such as landslides or blasts are a common occurrence. Thus, the advent of remote operation and monitoring technology has improved safety standards. All mining companies need to do is acquire the necessary industrial equipment and monitor operations from a remote location. This makes it easier to notice any glitch in the process. Some mining companies integrate this process with rail and port systems, such that it is a fully mechanized system. This way, they achieve maximum efficiency.

As technology evolves, so does the mining industry. There are bound to be more changes that will make the industry even more efficient. Apart from ensuring productivity, miners are now concerned with environmental conservation, which is very positive.