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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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Saturday, 18 March 23
HEDGE TO OFFSET LNG VOLATILITY, TRADERS TOLD - BALTIC EXCHANGE
A shift in imports from Asia to Europe led to significant volatility in liquefied natural gas shipping last year, prompting industry experts to urg ...
Friday, 17 March 23
INDONESIAN COAL PRICE REFERENCE UP AROUND 2.17% IN MARCH 2023
COALspot.com: Indonesian Coal Price Reference up around 2.17% in March 2023.
According to the new HBA regulation No. 41.K/MB.0 ...
Saturday, 11 March 23
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
Uncertainty over the recovery of Chinese demand, demand destruction in Europe, as well as weather conditions will pivot the LNG market this summer. ...
Wednesday, 08 March 23
INDONESIAN COAL REFERENCE PRICE FORMULA HAS OFFICIALLY CHANGED
Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources has officially changed the guideline for determining the benchmark price for the sale of coal c ...
Thursday, 02 March 23
INDIA'S SEABORNE CRUDE OIL IMPORTS IN 2022 INCREASED BY 11.5% YOY - BANCHERO COSTA
2022 has turned out to be a very positive year for crude oil trade, despite the surging oil prices and risks of economic recession, Banchero Costa ...
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- Economic Council, Georgia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- White Energy Company Limited
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Planning Commission, India
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- The University of Queensland
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- PTC India Limited - India
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Australian Coal Association
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- VISA Power Limited - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
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