How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Transform the Mining Industry
In an era of rapid technological change, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a tool capable of transforming many industries, including mining. Investments in AI can lead to increased efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. What is the potential for AI to transform the mining industry?
Historical context and modern trends
The mining industry has historically been slow to adopt new technologies. Only recently—in the last four to five years—has there been renewed investment in productivity improvements and modernization of mining operations, including investments in automation.
Many companies are cautious and slow to implement technologies. They want to ensure that the money spent on new technologies will yield the desired results. Furthermore, identifying the appropriate application area for AI is challenging for many. However, those who hesitate risk being left behind and failing to gain a competitive advantage.
Applications of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (traditional, not generative) is designed to perform specific tasks based on predefined rules and patterns. Therefore, it is ideal for running in the background of automated systems and collecting data on the performance of tools and systems. This data can be fed into easy-to-read dashboards that provide near-real-time insight into the operation of equipment or processes.
AI can also be used in exploration. By setting parameters indicating the presence of ore or other material you intend to extract, AI can sift through the vast amounts of geological data coming from sensors. What could previously have been a slow and tedious process can now be accomplished quickly with a few keystrokes.
Safety is another area where AI can shine. Monitoring data from emissions sensors and fire alarms ensures that an alarm is sounded immediately upon detection of a leak or fire.
Another valuable area where AI can help is predictive maintenance. An AI-powered system can evaluate the performance of any digitally controlled equipment and detect deviations from specified operating parameters. The collected data can be used to optimize equipment operation, schedule preventive maintenance, and reduce the cost of unexpected failures and downtime.
Predictive Maintenance Tools
Rockwell Automation has long been innovating and creating tools and technologies that customers demand. For example, the company recently developed Asset Intelligence for the mining industry—a predictive maintenance tool that uses artificial intelligence to collect, correlate, and present data on digitally controlled machines. It provides near-real-time insights into the operation of mining equipment—from extraction to conveyors, loading and transportation, and processing.
The collected data is displayed on an interactive dashboard, allowing you to identify potential problems and address them before they slow down or stop production. Maintenance is no longer performed haphazardly when something breaks, but can be planned in advance based on direct data from equipment operation.
The ability to schedule maintenance on critical production equipment means that personnel can be used more strategically, and workers are safer due to the reduced risk of unexpected breakdowns. Furthermore, repair costs will be significantly lower.
A look into the future
Artificial intelligence-enabled digital devices are nothing new, and they will only become more reliable and useful in the future.
As the mining industry continues to invest in new equipment and tools to meet the market's evolving needs for new materials, AI is part of this investment. AI takes over critical tasks and facilitates the work of a new generation of workers who are already proficient in using digital tools.
This material is based on the Rockwell Automation article by Drew Franklin.
