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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 February 23
PAKISTAN PLANS TO QUADRUPLE DOMESTIC COAL-FIRED POWER, MOVE AWAY FROM GAS - REUTERS
Pakistan plans to quadruple its domestic coal-fired capacity to reduce power generation costs and will not build new gas-fired plants in the coming ...
Saturday, 18 February 23
2023 MARINE FUEL MARKET PREDICTIONS - JOHN BERGMAN, AURAMARINE
The drive for decarbonisation we witnessed in 2022 has continued into 2023, demonstrating the shipping’s industry positive strides in the fas ...
Saturday, 28 January 23
COAL GROWTH BLIP NOT TO BE REPEATED - BALTIC EXCHANGE
As 2022 drew to a close, global coal demand looked set to end the year just 1.2% up on the previous year. But that small increase was enough to pus ...
Thursday, 26 January 23
CHINA'S COAL OUTPUT INCREASES IN DECEMBER 2022 - XINHUA
China’s raw coal output posted stable expansion in December 2022, official data showed.
The country produced 400 million tonne ...
Thursday, 26 January 23
COKING COAL NARROWS THE GAP ON THERMAL AS CHINA REOPENS - REUTERS
The premium of high-grade thermal coal over coking coal in Asia is shrinking as China’s re-opening and ending of a ban on imports from Austra ...
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- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- The University of Queensland
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- PTC India Limited - India
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Parliament of New Zealand
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Planning Commission, India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Australian Coal Association
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