The online conference on automation of underground mining, IT solutions implementation and digitalization of mining operations in Kazakhstan, Scandinavian countries and Chile was held via Zoom on 9th and 10th December. More than a hundred technical directors, heads of automation, chief engineers and directors of production at leading mining companies from Russia and Kazakhstan attended this webinar. Among them were ALROSA, Apatit, Norilsk Nickel, Polyus, Eurochem, Baikal Mining Company, Altynalmas, Evrazruda, ERG and many others.
Below are some testimonials by the companies attending this online meeting:
“The topics of the webinar were fully covered and well presented. It was very interesting to listen to the presenters. We took away some interesting ideas on automation and received additional knowledge in this field.” «Eurasian Group» ERG
“Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to attend such an interesting and useful event for the mining industry!” «Coal production company Colmar»
Online meetings and virtual tours of mines and processing facilities are essential in the current conditions of travel restrictions due to the pandemic. Webinar attendees find these events very effective for exchanging technical knowledge, information and learning the best practices as implemented by the advanced mining companies. Russian and Kazakhstan mining engineers have received a lot of useful information about mining operations automation, the use of robots, autonomous equipment and trucks, the digitalisation of production and planning at mines in Kazakhstan, Chile and the Nordic countries.
All online sessions and presentations were based on case studies and success stories. There were a few virtual underground mine tours to see real-life operations.
A number of cases discussed triggered many questions including: digitalisation and automated planning at Beskempir and Akbakai mines operated by Altynalmas in Kazakhstan (discussed in a presentation by Altynalmas and Sight Power Inc); ventilation on demand at Kiruna mine by LKAB (presentation by EOL Vent and LKAB); autonomous trucks operation at Gabriella Mistral mine by Codelco (presentation by SRK Chile and Komatsu). These Q&A sessions are extremely valuable. They give the Russian and Kazakhstan miners based in the remote areas of Magadan, Siberia, Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk, Karaganda and other regions a unique opportunity to ask questions directly to their colleagues from SRK, Epiroc, Codelco, LKAB, Sandvik, Redco, BHP and other companies located all over the world.
The organisers would like to thank all participants and presenters for supporting the event and wish them be healthy and safe during these difficult times.