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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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Thursday, 01 October 15
SOUTH KOREA'S KOMIPO SEEKS SPOT BITUMINOUS COAL SUPPLIES
COALspot.com: South Korean state-owned utility Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO) issued an new tender for 265,000 Metric Tons (MT) of minimum 4,600 kcal ...
Wednesday, 30 September 15
Q1'16 FOB INDONESIA COAL SWAP FALLS $1.25 A TON AS SLIDE CONTINUES
COALspot.com: Indonesian coal swap for delivery Q4 2015 declined month on month and week over week.
The Q4 swap declined $ 0.72 (-1.78%) per t ...
Wednesday, 30 September 15
NEW BUILDING MARKET INSIGHT
COALspot.com: This year has been, beyond any doubt, a rather strenuous one for the newbuilding market. Ordering activity with regards to Dry Bulker ...
Tuesday, 29 September 15
FOB RICHARDS BAY COAL SWAPS ARE SLIDING
COALspot.com: API4 FOB Richards Bay Coal swap for delivery Q4' 2015 declined week over week and month over month.
The Q4 swap was down US$ ...
Monday, 28 September 15
API 5 FOB NEWCASTLE COAL SWAPS UP $2.15 IN ONE MONTH
COALspot.com: API 5 FOB Newcastle Coal swap for Q4’ 2015 delivery increased $2.10 per ton (5.15%) month over month to US$ 42.93 per ton. The ...
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- Parliament of New Zealand
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- White Energy Company Limited
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Planning Commission, India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- The University of Queensland
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- PTC India Limited - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Economic Council, Georgia
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Australian Coal Association
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
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