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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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Sunday, 26 February 23
MAWANI AND JEDDAH CHAMBER SIGN AN AGREEMENT TO BUILD INTEGRATED LOGISTICS PARK
Press Release: The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry have today inked an agreement to set up an integrated ...
Saturday, 25 February 23
INDONESIA IS STILL BY FAR THE TOP SUPPLIER OF COAL TO CHINA - BANCHERO COSTA
After a slow start in the first quarter, global coal trade has really picked up pace last year, and is now fully back to pre-Covid levels, said ban ...
Wednesday, 22 February 23
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
The short-term outlook of the global soybean market is currently pivoted by a combination of weather patterns that are affecting the harvest progre ...
Saturday, 18 February 23
OIL UNLIKELY TO BREAK ABOVE $100/BBL THIS YEAR, J.P.MORGAN SAYS –- REUTERS
Brent oil prices are unlikely to breach the $100 a barrel level this year, barring any significant geopolitical drivers, with OPEC+ potentially add ...
Saturday, 18 February 23
CHINA'S COAL PRICES FALL TO 1 YR-LOW, CLOUDING DEMAND AND IMPORT OUTLOOK - REUTERS
China’s thermal coal prices hit their lowest levels in a year this week on rising inventories as domestic mine production is recovering faste ...
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- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- PTC India Limited - India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- White Energy Company Limited
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- The University of Queensland
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Economic Council, Georgia
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Planning Commission, India
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Australian Coal Association
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
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