We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining,
shipping, etc.
To Submit your article please click here.
|
|
|
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
If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.
|
|
Monday, 07 September 15
CFR SOUTH CHINA COAL SWAPS ROSE 1.1 PER CENT WEEK OVER WEEK
COALspot.com: API 8 CFR South China Coal swap for 4Q’ 2015 delivery declined just US$ 1.52 (3 %) per MT month over month.
A commodity sw ...
Sunday, 06 September 15
THE CAPE SIZE INDEX ROSE 10.83 PER CENT WEEK OVER WEEK
COALspot.com: The BDI, the Baltic exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, declined o ...
Saturday, 05 September 15
DRY BULK MARKET MAY SUFFER NOW, BUT IS BOUND FOR A RECOVERY THANKS TO A LIMITED FUTURE FLEET GROWTH - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS
The slow increase of dry bulk tonnage growth this year could turn into a solid indicator of the market’s future prospects. According to a rec ...
Friday, 04 September 15
U.S. COAL PRODUCTION FOR THE W/E AUGUST 29, UP SLIGHTLY; FALL 4.5 PERCENT Y-Y: EIA
COALspot.com – United States the world’s second largest coal producer has produced approximately totaled an estimated 18.7 million shor ...
Friday, 04 September 15
GOVERNORS WILL HAVE THE POWER TO REVOKE MINERS' PERMITS: ENERGY MINISTRY - JG
Starting Oct. 1, Indonesia's governors will lawfully become "executors" in revoking the licenses of miners that fail to secure a &quo ...
|
|
|
Showing 2831 to 2835 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- VISA Power Limited - India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- The University of Queensland
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Australian Coal Association
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- White Energy Company Limited
- PTC India Limited - India
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Planning Commission, India
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
|
| |
| |
|
