IoT In Mining – Benefits, Examples, Challenges

You’ve likely heard the buzz around the Internet of Things (IoT), but did you know it holds transformative potential for the mining industry?

With the number of IoT-connected devices growing at a rate of 16% globally, it is quite evident that it will increasingly shape various industries, and IoT in mining is no longer a far-fetched vision.
The mining sector has been one of the slowest industries to adopt digital technologies, largely due to the challenging and physical nature of its operations. However, the tide is turning, and IoT is poised to bring significant advancements to the field.

In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of integrating IoT into mining operations, uncover the challenges that come with its adoption, and examine the various applications where this technology can drive efficiency, safety, and innovation. Whether you’re looking to modernize your operations or simply stay informed about emerging trends, understanding IoT’s role in mining will be essential as this technology becomes the next big thing in the industry.

Let us begin by understanding IoT in the mining industry.

What Is IoT In The Mining Industry?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming many industries, including mining. IoT in mining means using connected devices, sensors, and systems to gather and analyze data. This improves efficiency, safety, and productivity. It allows real-time monitoring and control of mining operations, helping make smarter decisions and better use of resources.

How Does IoT Benefit the Mining Industry?

Given the many benefits, many big mining companies are exploring how to begin their digital transformation. They’re looking into ways to use digital tools and technologies to improve their daily operations and make everything run more smoothly. For example:

1. Operational Efficiency

The benefit of IoT in your mining business is the automation of routine tasks and optimizing workflows, which results in significantly improved operational efficiency. Smart devices and systems streamline processes such as equipment management, material handling, and production scheduling. Automation reduces the need for manual intervention, minimizes human error, and accelerates operations, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings. IoT also allows better coordination of resources and tasks, leading to more efficient and effective mining operations.

To understand how you can efficiently manage your workforce read an Australia-based client’s experience: workforce management software solutions for mining industry

2. Improved Resource Management

Another benefit of IoT in mining industry is the ability to track resources. You can track and manage resources like energy, water, and materials more effectively by using IoT. Sensors provide real-time data on resource usage, allowing operators in the mining industry to identify inefficiencies and make adjustments to reduce waste. By optimizing resource consumption, mining companies can lower operational costs and minimize their environmental footprint. This efficient resource management supports sustainability efforts and contributes to more responsible mining practices.

3. Real-Time Monitoring

The mining sector needs to constantly monitor equipment, machinery, and environmental conditions. Connected sensors can achieve this. IoT in mining helps operators collect data and quickly detect and fix issues, preventing small problems from becoming big disruptions.

With constant monitoring, operators can ensure smoother and more efficient operations, respond quickly to hazards, and optimize mining performance.

Example: Telematics at Glencore’s Matagami mine provided crucial data from connected equipment. This insight allowed Glencore to understand equipment performance better and boost productivity.

4. Predictive Maintenance

IoT systems can analyze data from sensors to predict when equipment is likely to fail or need maintenance. This predictive capability is a benefit of IoT for mining sector as it prevents unexpected breakdowns by scheduling maintenance activities before problems occur. By addressing issues proactively, mining companies can minimize downtime, reduce repair costs, and extend the lifespan of their equipment, leading to significant cost savings and operational continuity.

Example: Hecla implemented Mobile Equipment Telemetry to improve machine downtime management. By using real-time equipment diagnostics, Hecla can optimize machine usage and promptly diagnose issues, significantly reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

5. Improved Safety

Safety is a crucial aspect of the mining sector and IoT benefits your mining business by monitoring various aspects of the mining environment. Wearable IoT devices can track the location and well-being of workers, alerting them to potential hazards such as dangerous gas levels or equipment malfunctions. Environmental sensors can detect harmful conditions and trigger safety measures automatically.

6. Remote Monitoring and Control

A crucial benefit of IoT in mining industry is remote monitoring. Your mining business requires remote monitoring and control of mining operations, which is particularly beneficial in hazardous or remote locations. Operators can utilize IoT to access real-time data and manage equipment from afar. This reduces the need for on-site presence and improves safety. Remote control capabilities also allow quicker operational parameter adjustments.

Example: By remotely controlling underground ventilation fans through a centralized digital interface, Porcupine Gold Mines’ Borden site has optimized energy use and minimized operational stoppages. This reduced the air pumped into the mine from 1,200,000 cubic feet per minute (cfm) to 650,000 cfm.

Read Also: 10 Ways Fleet Management Can Improve Mining Productivity

7 Key Applications of IoT in The Mining Industry

The mining sector can easily integrate IoT into various aspects to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity. Here are some specific areas where IoT can make a significant impact:

1. Process Optimization

The application of IoT in mining industry that stands out is its ability to optimize the process. IoT can help optimize the processes in the mining industry by collecting real-time data from mining operations, which can be analyzed to fine-tune processes such as ore extraction, processing, and transportation. Adaptive control systems adjust operational parameters based on this data, maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste, while monitoring energy usage to identify opportunities for energy savings and operational improvements.

2. Automation and Robotics

A major application of IoT can be seen in the form of automation and robotics. The mining industry can benefit from autonomous vehicles and remote-operated machinery, as they operate continuously and reduce the need for manual labor. This includes robotic drilling and blasting systems optimized for precision, and remote operation capabilities that keep workers out of hazardous environments.

3. Supply Chain and Logistics

The mining industry can apply IoT to streamline the supply chain and logistics. This application provides real-time tracking of materials and equipment throughout the supply chain, increasing visibility and reducing delays. Fleet management is optimized through monitoring vehicle performance, routing, and fuel consumption, leading to cost savings and improved efficiency.

Additionally, real-time inventory tracking helps manage stock levels, forecast needs, and prevent overstock or shortages.

4. Communication And Collaboration

An area that saw the major application of IoT in mining industry is communication. IoT can be applied to improve communication across various parts of the mining operation, ensuring seamless information flow and coordination. Centralized data platforms will facilitate collaborative decision-making by allowing stakeholders to access real-time data and insights, while IoT-enabled tools will easily support remote collaboration, allowing quicker problem-solving and decision-making.

5. Environmental Monitoring

Another major application of IoT in mining industry will help make the sector environmentally friendly. IoT technology can be utilized to monitor the environment by using sensors to track air and water quality, monitor ecosystem impacts, and manage waste. This ensures that your mining business complies with regulations, mitigates negative environmental effects, and aids in effective waste management, contributing to a reduced ecological footprint.

6. Equipment Monitoring and Maintenance

The soul of any mining business is its equipment. That is why equipment health is a crucial aspect where IoT can be applied in your mining business. Equipment monitoring and maintenance are improved with IoT through real-time condition assessments and its capability of predictive maintenance. Sensors can easily detect wear and tear before failures occur, reducing unplanned downtime and extending the lifespan of equipment.

7. Safety Management

With IoT, the safety management of your mining business gets a big boost. This application of IoT in mining industry can help in hazard detection by utilizing sensors. They help you spot dangerous conditions like gas leaks and high temperatures, so you can quickly activate safety measures. Wearable devices track your vital signs and movements, sending out alerts if something goes wrong. Plus, real-time data on where you and your equipment are helps ensure faster, more effective emergency responses, making the work environment safer for everyone.

Challenges Of Adopting IoT In Mining Industry

Implementing IoT in mining has faced several challenges despite its benefits. Here’s a look at some of the main issues that need to be resolved:

1. Connectivity Issues

A major challenge of implementing IoT in your mining industry is connectivity. Because many underground mines and remote locations find it difficult to get reliable internet signals like 3G or 4G. This can make it difficult to use IoT technology effectively.

To overcome this, mining companies have started using more dependable connectivity methods, like satellite communications, to send data back to control centers.

2. Increased Depth

As ore grades decline, mining operations need to dig deeper. This poses a challenge to setting up IoT devises in your mining business. The harsh conditions at greater depths, such as high pressure, extreme temperatures, and difficult access, make it challenging for these IoT devices to function properly.

To tackle these issues, you might need to use specialized equipment designed for extreme conditions and explore advanced solutions for data transmission.

3. Cybersecurity Risks

With time, when more systems get connected with IoT in mining industry, mining operations will be at a greater risk of cyber-attacks. For example, after a data breach at Goldcorp in 2016, the mining industry realized it needed to improve its digital security. Following this, many companies joined the Mining and Metals Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (MM-ISAC) in 2017 to share information about cyber threats. This highlighted the need for strong security measures, leading mining companies to invest more in digital security technologies.

Why Choose Zealous for IoT Solution in Mining Industry?

The mining industry is the backbone of several industries like oil, energy, agrochemicals, and synthetic fabrics industries. This makes it very crucial that they are provided with cutting-edge technology to ensure streamlined operations, safe workers, operational equipment and efficient management. This will be ensured upon adopting IoT in mining industry and making it widespread.

Given the complexities involved in implementing IoT in mining industry, choosing the right IT service partner is crucial. Therefore, we at Zealous System work towards understanding your unique demands and believe in delivering more than you thought possible. With 11+ years of expertise in providing mining industry software development services, our dedicated developers ensure that when it comes to solutions you get the cream of the crop. By partnering with Zealous System, you can confidently overcome the complexities of IoT integration and use its full potential to drive innovation and efficiency in your mining operations.