Mining companies are looking to improve the productivity, safety, and efficiency of mine operations with the help of readily accessible digital technologies. Digital devices such as tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, hands-free wearable AR with access to IoT and analytics platforms help in capturing real time data and communicating with appropriate systems. Many companies initiating connected worker programs have a range of initiatives with a strong focus on mobility for operations staff. However, a connected worker program is more than a mobility program. It is a true digital transformational program requiring alignment of the business strategy for connected workers and the technology to make it happen.
Use cases in the mining industry:
The following section covers two key aspects of adopting digitally connected workers in the mining industry. The first one is improving operational efficiency, and the second one relates to worker health and safety.
Operations: Availability of key equipment is very important to improve production and maximize the yield of all resources. The connected worker solution can play a major role in reducing maintenance time, so that equipment is up and available for production faster. Here are some scenarios where the connected worker solution can help in reducing maintenance cycle time:
Environmental health and safety: Below are some of the scenarios where worker health and safety can be addressed by smart wearables and a connected worker solution:
Implementation journey:
The guidelines and implementation journey of the connected worker solution is explained below:
The connected worker solution can play a major role in reducing maintenance time, so that equipment is up and available for production faster.
Somekey considerations:
The following points are important guidelines while adopting the connected worker solution:
Benefits:
The following key benefits have been identified in a connected worker program:
Conclusion:
In order to implement a connected worker program successfully in the mining industry, these factors need to be considered
Connected worker platforms are being implemented in mining, as well as O&G, utilities and other industries. Companies in mining should be looking to the connected worker use cases and technology developed in other domains to learn from their experience in implementing successful connected worker programs and broadening the number of use cases potentially utilized in mining.
Connected worker program enhances real-time collaboration between field workers and office workers whether at site or headquarters, thereby increasing the efficiency of both.
References:
Leon Cosgrove - Partner – Domain & Digital – Mining, ENU, Wipro Ltd.
Leon has over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, which includes over 20 years in the Mining, as well as 4 years as a geologist.
Leon has a leadership role in advising and shaping Wipro's digital vision for mining, which is focused on the asset performance, agile operations, next-gen sustainability and digital capital projects. He is also responsible for shaping and leading the digital mining transformation for Wipro clients.
Leon has enabled organisations to take the steps to transform their organisations by integrating their business strategy with the capabilities of new digital technologies to reshape their mining organisations.
Pradeep Kumar Arya - Managing Consultant, Natural Resources CoE, ENU, Wipro Ltd.
Pradeep Kumar Arya is a Managing Consultant working with Natural Resources CoE of Wipro’s ENU vertical for defining digital technology transformation of mining, metals, refinery and smelter industries. He has 20+ years of experience in various industry verticals such as mining, manufacturing, chemical process and peripherals industries in implementing digital technology transformation, manufacturing execution systems and Distributed Control Systems (DIDCS).
He can be reached at Pradeep.arya@wipro.com