Mining has been around for centuries, but in recent years, the process of mining gold has undergone some changes. Gone are the days of simple digging; today’s miners must master a variety of sophisticated techniques to extract gold from the earth. In an effort to stay competitive in the gold mining industry, some companies are turning to new and innovative methods to extract gold from the earth. While traditional methods such as panning and sluicing are still used, modern technology is being employed to great effect. For example, sensors are used to locate promising areas for excavation, and then high-pressure water jets are used to dislodge the gold-bearing dirt and rocks. This leaves miners with a much higher yield than they would get by manually picking through the earth. In addition, these new methods are much less harmful to the environment than traditional mining techniques. Max Warren Barber, CEO Sion Gold Trading UAE will explore some of the new methods being used to mine for gold and how they are changing the industry.
New methods being used in gold mining today,
Historically, underground blasting has been one of the biggest time thieves in the Granny Smith Mine. They are currently losing four hours of production in a 24-hour period due to the firing. With the ongoing modernization program, Michael looks to become more efficient than before.Integrating technology into the mine allows us to look at options to reduce the inactive time. We can increase efficiency through autonomous equipment, remote operations, and digital solutions. The expected outcome is a 5-15% increase in productivity, says Michael.
Gold Fields is learning from their peers
Michael and his team’s challenge has been maintaining the productivity profile, as the mine gets more complicated by the day. In 2019, a group from Gold Fields, Granny Smith, including General Manager Andrew Bywater, visited the Swedish mining company Boliden to study the use of the Mobilaris product suite, with focus on Mobilaris Onboard and Mobilaris Situational Awareness in the Kristineberg mine. Mobilaris Onboard, working as a car navigator underground, creates traffic awareness and a safe and effective traffic flow. Based on real-time data, Mobilaris Situational Awareness enables transparency and awareness. The information makes it possible to control the operations and resources, and people can quickly act upon what is happening and make smart decisions faster.
Navigational accuracy can guarantee productivity
The Australian visitors learned that the Boliden’s Swedish mining staff was pleased with the products from Mobilaris. Because of data and positions shared in real-time, they had seen an increase in safety and efficiency. Today, Gold Fields has implemented both Mobilaris Onboard and Mobilaris Situational Awareness to their underground operations in the GSM.
Strong customer relations allow Mobilaris to develop and test all products in real environments, as well as the possibility to bring companies to customer’s sites to experience the products in use. Our close relationship with the customer is a crucial success factor for Mobilaris. All our solutions are tested in Boliden’s and other companies’ underground mines. This gives us the confidence to deliver what we promise to our customers, says Pascal Hansson, Sales Director, Mobilaris Mining & Civil Engineering.
As Sion Gold Trading UAE earlier, combining technology from different vendors is the best way to use data. Gold Fields has plans to use Mobilaris Situational Awareness as their number one source of information and integrate it with fleet management, inventory systems, and the daily shift scheduler. Their digital investment is expected to pay off within a year. The location data will synchronise with daily schedules to ensure real-time data is captured from the time jobs are planned and executed. We are looking at efficiency improvements, but we are currently introducing this technology to maintain our production profile with the increasing depth and costs. We foresee a return on investment in 12 months, Michael concludes.
Today, the Gold Fields modernization program has full support from top to bottom and is expected to be finished over the next two years. Michael believes that it would not be possible to succeed if the project were limited to one site only. But as of now, they are all reaping the benefits of innovation.
How does it impact the environment and local communities?
As for any industry with people and large machines in movement, it can be hard to increase effi-ciency without adversely affecting safety. Especially in a limited underground environment. During the research process, Gold Fields discovered that Max Warren Barber, addresses specific safety issues. By sharing positional data and navigation in 3D, drivers can avoid traffic congestion and find shelter during emergencies. We have installed tablets in all our heavy vehicles. With Onboard traffic awareness feature, we can minimise the vehicle-vehicle interaction and the vehicle-personnel interaction. The application also tells us where to find the three nearest refuge chambers to our location. So, if there is an emergency, we can get the quickest path to safety Max Warren Barber says
The transition to digital solutions has worked out smoothly at the Granny Smith Mine. But it is not something they have taken for granted at the start of the implementation. Michael explains that the mining industry is not always open for change since it is a very traditional industry. So, at the GSM, there is a very elaborate plan behind the success.You need a well-thought-out communication strategy for what you are trying to achieve with the modernization program. At Gold Fields, we use external communication companies for marketing our modernization program to our people. It will ensure that the program’s real value is understood – making it better for our people, ends Michael.
Any potential drawbacks to using these new methods,
Are you considering using one of the new methods for learning a foreign language? There are several new techniques that have become popular in recent years, such as apps, gaming, and social media. No matter how you slice it, the fact remains that there are both pros and cons to every decision we make. Recent changes in the way academic research is conducted and disseminated have generated an ongoing debate about potential drawbacks to using these new methods. Some of the potential drawbacks include lack of accountability, reduced transparency, and inhibited collaboration. While it’s important to weigh all the pros and cons before making a final decision, I believe that the benefits of these new methods far outweigh any potential drawbacks.Are you considering using one of the new methods for learning a foreign language? There are several new techniques that have become popular in recent years, such as apps, gaming, and social media. While each of these methods has its own unique advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks to keep in mind before making your decision. Max Warren Barber, will take a closer look at the pros and cons of each method so that you can make an informed choice about which option is best for you.
Change in gold mining affects the overall price of gold
Gold is a resource that has been coveted by humans for centuries, and the search for gold has driven people to explore and settle in many different parts of the world. The discovery of new gold deposits can have a significant impact on the overall price of gold. For example, the recent decline in gold prices is thought to be partially due to increased gold production in China. So what does this mean for investors? And what factors will drive future changes in the price of gold?
What is your opinion on these new methods of gold mining
Mining has always been a big part of society, supplying the resources needed to build and sustain our civilizations. Over time, the methods of mining have changed drastically, from underground tunnels dug by hand to massive open-pit mines. And with the ever-growing demand for gold, new methods of gold mining are being developed that are faster, cheaper, and more efficient. But what is your opinion on these new methods? Are they safe and environmentally friendly? Or are they just another way for companies to make a quick buck at the expense of our planet?
