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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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Wednesday, 22 March 23
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
The crude tanker market continues to gather momentum as we head towards the end of 1Q2023, against a backdrop of strong U.S. exports paired with a ...
Wednesday, 22 March 23
WILL LOWER GAS PRICES SPARK SWITCHING IN EUROPE AND ASIA?
Record high prices devastated demand for gas and LNG across Asia and Europe last year. But with prices falling, companies are starting to re-evalua ...
Monday, 20 March 23
NTPC MULLS 5.4 MILLION TONNES COAL IMPORT IN FIRST HALF OF 2023-24: PTI
State-run power giant NTPC is planning to import around 5.4 million tonnes of coal to meet the supply shortage during the first half 2023-24 fiscal ...
Monday, 20 March 23
S. AFRICA’S EXXARO RESOURCES SAYS COAL PRICES COOLING OFF - REUTERS
South Africa’s Exxaro Resources on Thursday posted a 28% jump in 2022 profit after seeing average coal prices surge more than 150%, but warne ...
Saturday, 18 March 23
RUSSIAN LNG EXPORTS TO EUROPE REMAIN HIGH - VESSELS VALUE
Russian LNG exports to Europe remained at very high levels in February at 3.6 million CBM, following a 13 month high in January of 4.1 million CBM. ...
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- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- VISA Power Limited - India
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- White Energy Company Limited
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Planning Commission, India
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- PTC India Limited - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- The University of Queensland
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Australian Coal Association
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
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