Mines of the future: a fusion of technology and new working models
Increasing collaboration, open innovation working models and emerging technology will shape the future of mining – delivering safer, more sustainable and more productive operations.
Ahead of her upcoming keynote presentation at the International Future Mining Conference 2024 titled Innovate with Impact, without Boundaries, we spoke with Maki Ikeda, Head of Product Development at BHP Think & Act Differently to gain her insights.
What will your keynote presentation at #FutureMining2024 address?
My presentation is focused on innovating with impact, without boundaries. It will focus on unlocking innovation in mining through stretching foundational and conventional thinking and, systems design and integration. I’ll also reflect on the importance of collaborating within the mining ecosystem, and outside it.
This complements our work in the Think & Act Differently team, Powered by BHP. Our purpose is to deliver the resources of tomorrow by empowering people to Think & Act Differently today.
What key points do you hope delegates will take away from your keynote presentation?
I will emphasise the need to move beyond traditional methods and embrace collaboration as a key driver for a more efficient, sustainable and innovative future for the mining industry. Some key points I hope delegates will take away include:
- Breaking down silos: Recognise the limitations that traditional, in-sector solutions and the value of diverse perspectives.
- Identifying untapped potential: Explore how collaboration with other sectors can unlock new technologies and approaches.
- Bringing the people along: Upskilling our workforce, bringing in new capabilities, and shaping tomorrow’s mining community.
- Case studies in success: Gain a framework for initiating and navigating cross-sector partnerships and learn from practical examples of successful cross-sector collaborations in mining.
Can you tell us more about the open innovation model adopted by your team and share some of the positive outcomes your team has achieved due to this model?
To deliver resources in new ways, TAD engages with innovators, researchers, established vendors, and mining peers across the world to work together to accelerate technology development and implementation.
We use the open innovation model whereby teams openly discuss the ambitious opportunities and challenges they are working on and invite collaborators from universities, industry peers, adjacent industries, and start-ups to join.
An example of the open innovation model working well include the Tailings Consortium with Rio Tinto testing early-stage technologies, startup cohorts on copper comminution, open calls for dry processing in potash and biotechnology focused on copper.
“I am confident the mining industry is on the right path, and this will be done as much by stretching outside of our current value chain and partners as strengthening true collaborative ways of working within the existing ecosystem. We also need to embrace change and take measured risks as successful innovation come from unexpected places.”
With mine electrification, energy storage solutions and energy-efficient mining systems becoming more prominent, what innovative products are on the horizon that will be integral to the mines of the future?
Safety will continue to be key in designing the mines of the future.
From what we know and can see, the mines of the future will be reliant on a fusion of technology and new working models. Some areas include – automation and robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), remote operations, sustainability technologies, data and connectivity and skilled workforce.
Along with this, we are seeing advancements in battery technology, digital systems and sensor capabilities that are enabling more efficient and flexible mining operations.
By combining these innovations with a focus on modular, adaptable and energy-efficient system design, we can optimise mining methods for different ore bodies.
Ultimately, these elements will work together to create a safer, more environmentally conscious and cost-effective mining industry for the future.
What changes have you seen throughout your career, and do you have any predictions for the future?
Coming from outside of mining and having worked in several industrial sectors, I was fortunate to be part of various aspects of the digital transformation and energy transition journeys at scale. Industries and companies need to change faster, and the interconnectedness of these spaces require a high level of openness to learn and try together to go faster.
I am confident the mining industry is on the right path, and this will be done as much by stretching outside of our current value chain and partners as strengthening true collaborative ways of working within the existing ecosystem. We also need to embrace change and take measured risks as successful innovation come from unexpected places.
What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming conference?
I am looking forward to learning from other innovators in the industry and seeing the ecosystem thinking around key blockers impeding innovation and its speed and how we can work together on them.
Don’t miss Maki Ikeda’s keynote presentation at the International Future Mining Conference 2024
This exciting conference will bring together future-focussed mining professionals, global leaders and academics for a 3-day technical program as we prepare to shape the future of mining together.
Join co-hosts AusIMM and UNSW in Sydney from the 2—4 September