MINING 4.0 HOW DO WE GET THERE?
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— Defining Mining 4.0
By definition, Mining 4.0 is the market’s adaption of the Industry 4.0’s maxim that connectivity can be achieved through technology. However, it’s important to recognise that Mining 4.0 is defined by more than technology alone. While autonomous and connected mining might be the end game, it’s people who are making the goals and keeping score. Which is why achieving success with the ‘S’ in ESG is just as vital to the future of mining as addressing the environmental risks and regulations brought on by climate change. From maintaining an organisation’s social license to operate, to realising the safety standard of zero harm for all employees, and retaining staff amidst an industry-wide skilled labour shortage, Mining 4.0 must be motivated by improving outcomes for people at both a micro and macro scale. It’s important to remember that there is no carbon-neutral future without mining. In fact, a greener future requires more mining, not less.
Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite are essential to the generation, distribution and storage of low-emission energy. Copper and aluminium are required for energy transmission whilst elements silicon and uranium are needed for nuclear, solar and wind energy generation. The World Bank Group estimates that the production of minerals will need to escalate by 500% to meet clean energy demand 13 . With this surge in demand comes opportunity, not just in terms of financial gain, but as to what miners do in regards to ESG, particularly on the social front. Gresshoff believes this provides a rare opportunity for the industry and its leaders in Australia to forge a new way forward. “Once the industry has accepted this responsibility, there is a huge opportunity for us to take control of the narrative and start authoring solutions for the sustainable mine of the future,” he says.
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