Digital in mining: progress... and opportunity
OVERVIEW
While the mining industry has profited from a lift in commodity prices and China’s infrastructure growth plans, challenges continue. These difficult conditions could be considered the “new normal,” according to a recent report from the World Economic Forum. However, the report continues, digital technology has the potential to help mining companies contend with these conditions—and it could help the industry generate a benefit of $190 billion over the next decade.
A recent Accenture study indicates that mining companies are indeed investing in digital technology to help them move forward. The study looked at where miners are making those investments, and where they plan to make more. As a result, it sheds light on how the industry is using, and not using, digital technology to improve decision making, increase efficiency and productivity, and succeed in a challenging environment.
The power of digital to drive innovation is well recognized by business leaders and 46% believe it’s the biggest factor in driving innovation.
KEY FINDINGS
Mining companies are applying digital technology across their organizations, but they are embracing it most heavily in mine operations. Technologies miners are leveraging most in mining operations include robotics, automation, remote operating centers and even wearables.
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES ALREADY EMPLOYED OR WILL BE
EMPLOYED IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS IN MINING OPERATIONS
CYBERSECURITY, REAL-TIME DATA VISUALIZATION AND
REAL-TIME ANALYTICS ARE THE MOST WIDELY USED DIGITAL
TECHNOLOGIES ACROSS MINING ORGANIZATIONS.
32
CYBERSECURITY
31
REAL-TIME DATA VISUALIZATION
30
REAL-TIME ANALYTICS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) AND OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY (OT) INTEGRATION IS WELL UNDERWAY, WITH 46 PERCENT SAYING BUSINESS DATA IS MANAGED BY A COMBINATION OF GROUPS, AND 33 PERCENT SAYING OPERATIONAL DATA IS MANAGED IN A SIMILAR FASHION.
56
ARE CONSIDERING MERGING THEIR IT AND OT GROUPS WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS
THE PAYOFF
On an operational level, executives most often cited better equipment performance (47 percent), operational/administrative cost savings (42 percent) and better decision making (40 percent) as top benefits. When asked about overall business benefits, executives most often cited improved workforce productivity, especially from mobile/tablet devices, automation, visualization and the ability to simulate physical environments.
Technology is the enabler, but achieving real value depends on how the business leverages the technology. If companies are satisfied with the value they are seeing from their investments, it boosts buy-in and interest—and that, in turn, can help drive success and sustained results from the growing use of digital technology.
READ THE REPORT
METHODOLOGY
Accenture conducted an online survey of 201 C-level and top management executives and functional leaders in the mining and metals industry. The survey was fielded in mid-October through mid-November 2016 and included respondents from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China/Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Singapore, South Africa, United States and United Kingdom.
THE COMPANIES REPRESENTED RANGE IN REVENUES FROM
0
TO GREATER THAN
0
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
CONNECT WITH US
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
