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The future of mining is automated

As global demand increases for resources locked deep within the earth, the mining industry must adopt processes and technologies that streamline every step of the process. Automation holds the key to a more efficient mining industry.

Since the industrial revolution of the mid-1800s, processes and technologies across every sector of the modern economy have developed at a rapid pace. From the Bessemer Method of processing steel to the production of mechanized tools, this era in American history set the pace for the rapid growth of industry and technology through the 21th century. And as the means to produce became more efficient, demand for those products increased — and as demand grew, the methods by which those items were produced advanced further.

Mining is no exception. The steam engine revolutionized both the digging of new mines and the transportation of product from the mines. Every step of the process — exploration, discovery, extraction, processing, and distribution — has been made far more efficient and safer by inventions such as steam-powered mine hoists, mechanical ventilating devices, shaft excavation systems, and cementation.

The industrial revolution was no doubt a catalyst for the development of these inventions, and now the tech revolution is aiming to take a similar hold on the mining industry. With global demand for an array of natural resources only increasing, mining companies must work both smarter and harder to unearth and distribute these commodities around the world. As a result, the future of mining lies within the technology of automation.

He challenges confronting the globalized mining industry – now and in the future – can only be mastered by raising productivity and by reducing operating and extraction costs. Ever stricter environmental regulations must also be met and safe working conditions ensured.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Automation in Manufacturing

Automation Advantages

Reduction in production time – having a machine that is automated definitely speeds up the production time since no thinking is needed by the machine, there is better repeatability, and less human error.

Increase in accuracy and repeatability – when an automated machine is programmed to perform a task over and over again, the accuracy and repeatability compared to an employee is far greater.

Less human error – no one is perfect, and we are all prone to making mistakes. Which is why a machine that performs repeated tasks is less likely to make mistakes than an employee.

Less employee costs – by adding automated machines to an operation, means less employees are needed to get the job done. It also indicates less safety issues, which leads to financial savings.  With having less employees, there are numerous costs that are diminished or reduced such as payroll, benefits, sick days, etcetera.

Increased safety – having automated machines means having less employees who perform tasks that can be dangerous and prone to injury, which can make the work environment safer.

Higher volume production – investing in automated equipment creates a valuable resource for large production volumes, which in turn, will increase profitability.

Automation Disadvantages

Less versatility – by having a machine that can perform a certain task limits to the flexibility and variety of tasks that an employee could do.

More pollution – different types of machines operate using motor which may require gases or chemicals in order to operate. This can cause an increase in pollution in the workplace.

Large initial investment – automated machines can be one of the most costly operating costs for a company. With automated machines running anywhere between thousands and millions of dollars depending on the type and degree of automation.

Increase in unemployment – by increasing the amount of automation, there are less employees required causing high unemployment rates.

Unpredictable costs – there can be several unpredictable costs that may exceed the actual cost saved by the automation itself. Some of these costs could include research and development costs of automating a process, preventative maintenance costs, and the cost of training employees to operate automated machines.

What is Industrial Automation?

Industrial automation is the use of control systems, such as computers or robots, and information technologies for handling different processes and machineries in an industry to replace a human being. It is the second step beyond mechanization in the scope of industrialization.

The word ‘Automation’ is derived from ancient Greek words of Auto (means self) Matos (means moving). Thus, a mechanism move by itself or self dictated is called automation. As compared with manual systems, automation systems provides superior performance in terms of precision, power and speed of operation.

Industrial automation is the use of control devices such as PC/PLCs/PACs etc. to control industrial processes and machinery by replacing as much as possible labour intervention and dangerous assembly operations with automated ones.

In industrial control a wide number of process variables such as temperature, flow, pressure, distance, and liquid levels can be sensed simultaneously. All these variables are acquired, processed and controlled by complex microprocessor systems or PC based data processing controllers.