Page 13 - EngineerIt July 2021

ICT MINING

Digital transformation is crucial to the

future of mining in South Africa

ining has played a crucial role in structures and processes which support
South Africa’s economy for the digital transformation.”
Mbest part of two centuries, and Practically, Pierre Swart, CEO of
while it may not play as big a role as it mining software specialist Accutrak,
once did, it still contributed R400-billion agrees with this whole-view approach to
to GDP in 2020 and employed more than digital transformation. He does, however,
450 000 people. But if the sector is to believe that optimising data is crucial to
remain competitive at a global level it any digital transformation initiative.
must evolve, particularly when it comes to “Everything, for me, boils down to
embracing digital transformation. the optimisation of data at the end of the Gys Malan, Solutions Manager, Huawei
While South Africa’s unique day,” he says. “If we have accurate data,
circumstances should be taken into we can analyse it to identify patterns, clients to achieve these objectives with
account, especially when it comes to or when patterns break. We can create a variety of products and services,” he
factors such as the ore body depth and business improvement tools and start to says. “When it comes to connectivity, for
labour intensity of the country’s mining use predictive algorithms that can tell us instance, our 5G and private LTE offerings
operations, that doesn’t mean that that something will likely happen before allow for large amounts of data to be
mining companies should shy away from it does.” transmitted at very low latencies.”
digital transformation. The application of However, that kind of data While these forms of connectivity are
digital technologies, both in their current optimisation cannot occur without the important, Malan still believes that wi-fi
form and in future digital forms such necessary levels of connectivity. and fibre have important roles to play in
as artificial intelligence (AI), machine As Gys Malan, solutions manager, mines across the globe. Whether it’s
learning (ML), big data analytics and the Huawei, points out: “What one absolutely connectivity or any other aspect of digital
Internet of Things (IOT) is increasingly cannot miss when it comes to thinking transformation, he cautions against anyone
pivotal to mining success. The players in about a digitally-transformed mine is hedging their bets on any single technology.
the space who understand that and use connectivity. ”Unfortunately”, he adds, “We have to diversify the
these technologies as enablers are the “this is something that sometimes gets communication technologies that we
ones most likely to thrive, going forward. neglected when mines try to embrace use based on environmental factors and
Those were the overriding messages digital transformation. It is important application requirements,” he says.
at a webinar hosted by Joburg Centre to understand that a typical mine may If mining is to continue playing an
for Software Engineering (JCSE) at Wits need a combination of several different important role in South Africa, then it
University, which included speakers technologies to meet its connectivity must digitally transform. As the webinar
from mining houses, software builders needs. It’s important that you have different speakers demonstrated, however, that’s
specialising in solutions for the mining options for transporting the data from not just about adopting new technologies
industry and Huawei. sensors embedded in different parts of the but being selective and using them in the
“When we look at mining, what people mine to upper layer platforms”. He also way that best suits a particular mine’s
don’t comprehend is that the mining value points out that it’s important to be able to needs and aspirations. n
chain is extremely complex,” says Alex integrate the data from different platforms
Fenn, head of technology and innovation to create a central “data lake”, which allows For more information, please visit Huawei
at Sibanye Stillwater. “The infrastructure for easier central decision making. online at www.huawei.com or follow us on:
varies from space to space, meaning “At Huawei we assist our mining http://www.huawei.com/za/
that achieving digital transformation is far
less simple than it would be in a factory, he Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) is an official Centre at Wits
for instance.” However, that does not University. It was established in 2005 as a partnership between government,
mean that it doesn’t hold benefits. “Digital Tindustry and the University. When it was established, the JCSE’s major focus was
transformation is a key enabler to value on developing and growing the software development sector of the local IT industry.
delivery that is both incredibly specific In 2012 the JCSE initiated and drove a major project aimed at establishing a digital
as well as all-encompassing,” he adds. innovation hub in Johannesburg. This resulted in the establishment of Wits University’s
“The aggregated benefits across the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in West Braamfontein in 2016. In 2017
value chain are huge. That’s why we’re Tshimologong was spun off by Wits as a separate entity. Starting in 2019 the JCSE has
working towards becoming a digital- been working to refocus its activities on issues relating to digital transformation and the
first organisation that creates cultures, Fourth Industrial Revolution.

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