Mine Productivity: Doing More With Less

MINING TECHNOLOGY – OCTOBER 2014

Recent reports indicate that the mining industry’s productivity has been steadily declining since 2003, with companies more likely to launch new projects than improve efficiency at existing operations. But with Australia’s mining boom now over, companies are shifting their focus from capital expenditure to capital efficiency. What can mining firms do to get more out of their operations?

Simulation of operations brings success:
To boost both productivity and safety within its roughly 1,600 strong workforce at its Red Lake gold mine in Ontario, Canada Goldcorp has been capitalising on the benefits of simulated operations. Employing ThoroughTec Simulation’s CYBERMINE containerised system, the Canadian miner has trained up new staff away from the dangers of reallife conditions, while also ensuring that old hands keep to standard. The approach has enabled the company to reduce safety risks while also trialling new and more efficient operational procedures in a safe and less costly environment. Joel Campbell, training operator at Goldcorp, said: “For two days we put them through their paces and evaluate them on different scenarios. This gives the operators a chance to familiarise themselves with the controls and learn correct operating techniques. We need to ensure that they’re ready to operate the scoop safely and productively.”

*Extract from Mining Technology