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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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Monday, 21 September 15
KOMIPO OF KOREA INVITES BIDS FOR BITUMINOUS COAL
COALspot.com: South Korean state-owned utility Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO) issued an new tender for 390,000 Metric Tons (MT) of minimum 4,600 kcal ...
Sunday, 20 September 15
BALTIC CAPE INDEX ROSE 66.52 PER CENT AND STAND NOW AT 1995 POINTS
COALspot.com: The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) rose 17.35 per cent week over week to 960 points on Friday mainly driven by the Capesize segment. The Cape ...
Friday, 18 September 15
SHIPPING AND THE FED RATE DECISION: FINANCING COSTS COULD RISE EVEN HIGHER - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS
Regardless of the FED’s decision to raise rates, shipping stands to be influenced by the decision. Shipbroker Allied Shipbroking noted this w ...
Friday, 18 September 15
U.S. COAL PRODUCTION DECLINED 6.7 PER CENT W-W: EIA
COALspot.com – United States the world’s second largest coal producer has produced approximately totaled an estimated 17.4 million shor ...
Thursday, 17 September 15
COALSPOT HAS LAUNCHED NEW THERMAL COAL INDICES FOR INDONESIAN COAL
COALspot.com has today launched real-time CS (i) Coal Indices.
The Indices represents 3800 kcal/kg GAR, 4200 kcal/kg GAR, 5000 kcal/kg GAR a ...
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- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- PTC India Limited - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- White Energy Company Limited
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Australian Coal Association
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Planning Commission, India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- The University of Queensland
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
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