AS THE WORLD moves towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the exponential growth of disruptive technologies is fundamentally changing many industries, and mining has not been left in the dust. From big data to connected helmets, autonomous robotics, and 3D printing, technology today means more intelligent, digital, automated and sustainable ways of mining. Here are some of these technologies, and how they are changing the future of mining around the world.
DEBSWANA’S DIAMOND DATA
Debswana Diamond Company owns and operates four diamond mines in Botswana (Orapa, Letlhakane, Jwaneng, and Damtshaa). As a world leader in gem diamonds, Debswana produces a lot more than precious stones – it generates a huge amount of data. Microsoft has been working closely with them to unlock the full potential of this valuable resource.
‘Debswana generates a massive quantity of data at its mines from the vast amounts of machinery and applications used at its facilities, but it often experienced machine failures and unpredictable performance despite having a robust maintenance and repair strategy already in place,’ explains Wale Olokodana, Cloud and Enterprise Lead, Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). ‘This made business processes slower and led to significant losses of revenue.’
‘Now, through the dashboard created on the Azure platform, Debswana is able to quickly and easily manage its data. It provides the capability to predict any problems, saving the diamond producer greatly on time and costs.’
Denne historien er fra July/August 2020-utgaven av Popular Mechanics South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July/August 2020-utgaven av Popular Mechanics South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Can a retired rocket engine take us to Mars?
The space shuttle's main engine was mothballed with the programme in 2011. Now NASA believes it's the future of interplanetary travel.
6 metre waves. All engines on fire. 1 500 Km from land.
How Flying Tiger 923 and its 'miracle pilot' made an impossible ocean landing.
Land Rover Discovery D300
A FEW MONTHS ago a $2 billion lottery jackpot was won in the United States. It’s fun to sometimes ponder outrageous winnings like that, and how I’d spend it, even if it’s completely detached from reality.
Volkswagen Taigo R-Line 1.0 TSI
The compact proportions make this a delightful daily commuter.
Mazda CX-5 2.2 L De Akera AWD
Floor the pedal and overtaking is achieved easily and safely.
Making the most out of your grinder
THE HUMBLE BENCH GRINDER IS A STAPLE of the handyworker's home shop, largely due to its versatility. But, while you can employ one to remove metal from just about anything, the traditional kind may not provide the precision you need for every grinding operation. Here, we shed light on the best ways to use the different types of grinders, gleaned from our testing.
Unlock your devices' full potential with a USB-C hub
AS NEW TECH SHRINKS EACH YEAR, essential ports such as USB-A, HDMI, and ethernet are being replaced by the slimmer USB-C.
WE BUILT THE WORLD'S FIRST V-8 TESLA
THE RICH REBUILDS TEAM HAD A DEAD MODEL S. THEY FIXED IT WITH A CAMARO ENGINE.
I bought a GHOST TOWN
This abandoned California mining village once had 400 buildings. Now I'm restoring the 20 that remain.
F1 taught me that speed starts with comfort
AS A FAN OF MOTORSPORT, I'M ALWAYS fascinated with the finer details that go into Formula One racing. Piloting the fastest racing cars on the planet subjects drivers to savage forces - up to 6 G's under braking which has led to an almost endless pursuit of comfort.
