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Sunday, 06 September 15
AUTOMATION AND TECHNOLOGY IS CERTAINLY PART OF THE SOLUTION FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY TO MAKE THE MINE OPERATIONS MORE PROFITABLE, HOWEVER............ - LUKE JALSEVAC
 "The Technology and Innovation in Mining 2015" production team at Information Exchange Group interviewed Luke Jalsevac, Director, Business Optimization Global Value Assurance, Kinross Gold Corporation, one of their speakers for TIM2015.
“ When the price of a commodity is rising, most companies focus on extracting as much from the ground as possible to capture the high margins, which may result in diminished rigor around operational excellence. When prices decline, they often overshoot to the downside, creating substantial financial pain for companies " - Luke Jalsevac
Q: The central theme behind the upcoming Summit is Innovation and Technology. From some of the innovative projects that you have been a part of at Kinross, can you share some areas where automation has helped optimize your business?
A: While Kinross has not done a great deal that can be classified as purely automation, we have been implementing a number of optimization projects involving either data automation or automation of components of processes in both mining and processing. Our focus on improving operational processes over the past number of years is enabling us to look at technology for additional opportunities.
Q: Given the current market scenario for the resources sector, do you think automation and technology is the best way forward to make the operations more profitable?
A: Automation and technology is certainly part of the solution for improving performance and efficiency, however I would argue that it needs to be used judiciously. All too often I have seen technology proposed as a ‘silver bullet’ solution when in fact there are great gains possible from improving foundational technical and business processes first, often with much smaller investments. If there are underlying process problems, technology can in fact exacerbate the situation by adding significant cost and complexity without improving bottom line performance. Having said that, for more mature operations there certainly are opportunities for automation and technology to play an important role in propelling performance to the next level. As an industry, gold mining isn’t the fastest to adopt new technologies for a whole host of reasons, some quite legitimate, but it strikes me that there is much to be learned from other mining companies as well as industries that seem unrelated.
Q: The mining sector has been one of the last ones to wake up to the benefits of technology. From a traditionally orthodox set of operations to drones flying in the mine sites, do you see challenges in terms of employees being able to keep up with the changes?
A: There are definitely a number of structural challenges faced by mining that make it harder for employees to keep up with the changes:
As a general rule cutting edge technology originates in large cities, which is where the top technology talent want to live. Most mines are in remote locations making it very difficult to attract people with the skills required to manage and implement new technologies.
The primary input, the ore body, is usually quite varied throughout changing, making it difficult to automate and standardize certain elements of the process. Manufacturing, in comparison, doesn’t face this same challenge.
The cyclical, boom and bust nature of mining makes it difficult to invest in technology in a methodical manner. Typically speaking , when the price of a commodity is rising, most companies focus on extracting as much from the ground as possible to capture the high margins, which may result in diminished rigor around operational excellence. When prices decline, they often overshoot to the downside, creating substantial financial pain for companies. In this difficult environment, like the one we are experiencing now, technology is often one of the first things to get cut from the budget.
Despite these challenges, there is no question that there are significant opportunities for resource companies to adopt technologies from other industries to improve our performance. It will require the willingness to step out of our comfort zone and try something new.
Q: Would you like to share something about the ongoing projects at Kinross which involves cutting edge technology? What are some of the typical challenges you face when trying to convince the management to embark on such projects?
A: Our focus as a company over the past five years has been building a foundation to strengthen our processes in mine planning, maintenance, geology, operations, etc. As a result, our primary focus has not been on technology, although technology has played a par t in the various improvements. Some examples include: optimization of our mining dispatch systems and implementation of High Precision GPS (HPGPS); implementation of maintenance health monitoring systems; drilling and blasting optimization (e.g. blast hole monitoring); automation of daily production reports, and the list goes on.
Q: What are your expectations from the Technology and Innovation in Mining 2015?
A: I’m interested to hear from other mining companies about which technology has truly helped them improve their bottom line performance, but even more importantly, how they go about selecting and managing technology implementations to ensure that they actually achieve the expected benefits.
Luke Jalsevac, Director, Business Optimization Global Value Assurance, Kinross Gold Corporation was interviewed by the Technology and Innovation in Mining 2015 Production Team at Information Exchange Group
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Tuesday, 11 April 23
OIL RISES ON CHINA STIMULUS EXPECTATIONS, WEAKER DOLLAR - REUTERS
Oil prices rose on Tuesday on expectations of potential economic stimulus by China, healthy demand in the rest of Asia and a drop in U.S. crude sto ...
Sunday, 09 April 23
CHINA’S BUSINESS INCOME REBOUND POINTS TO IMPROVING ECONOMY: OFFICIAL - XINHUA
Chinese businesses have posted a strong rebound in sales revenue since the beginning of this year in the latest signal of an improving economy.
...
Sunday, 09 April 23
COAL INDIA TO BOOST SUPPLIES TO INDUSTRIES AS UTILITIES’ INVENTORIES RISE - REUTERS
Coal India Ltd will increase supplies to industries, the world’s largest coal miner said on Wednesday as fuel inventories at utilities run by ...
Thursday, 06 April 23
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
LNG Current Supply/Demand Dynamics
This year, LNG supply will likely exceed demand, so prices will need to decline to levels that will encourag ...
Sunday, 26 March 23
EUROPE’S RUSH TO LNG COULD TURN INTO 'WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE AND UNNECESSARY INSURANCE POLICY'- CNBC
Europe’s rapid buildout of liquefied natural gas infrastructure is on track to far exceed demand by the end of the decade, according to new r ...
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- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- White Energy Company Limited
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- The University of Queensland
- PTC India Limited - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Australian Coal Association
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Planning Commission, India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
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