Johannesburg, South Africa – [24th July 2024] – The mining industry has been earmarked as one of the key drivers of economic growth across the African continent as the industry commits to digitisation, moving from traditional technologies to embrace modern advancements. Avanti Communications (“Avanti”), a leading global multi-orbit provider of fully integrated connectivity services, says that the crucial role of satellite technology should not be underestimated when looking to digitisation in the mining sector.
Avanti introduces its “Mine Always On” solution, designed to ensure constant, undisrupted connectivity tailored to the unique demands of the mining industry. Underscoring the transformative potential of satellite technology, the solution brings about operational efficiencies and provides sustainable, reliable connectivity in remote mining locales.
“Successfully charting this complex terrain heralds a new era of enhanced return on investment, operational efficiency, and sustainable practices in mining,” says Gamze Aydin, Senior Vice President Sales and South Africa Country Manager at Avanti.
A notable shift towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is also underway, as evidenced by a 2023 PwC survey. It revealed that 100% of surveyed mining CEOs in South Africa are committed to digital technology adoption, highlighting considerable room for advancement despite progress made in the sector.
With the industry’s evolving demands, the focus is on several pivotal areas impacting performance:
- Site Safety Enhancements: Through the integration of IoT sensors and real-time monitoring systems to improve hazard detection and worker safety.
- Operational Efficiency: By streamlining processes via the automation of mining equipment and vehicles.
- Data Analytics and Predictive maintenance: Employing big data analytics and AI for predictive maintenance and informed decision-making.
- Environmental Monitoring and Sustainability: Advancing sustainable practices and technologies to lessen environmental footprints.
- Community Engagement and Social Responsibility: Increasing community engagement and adherence to ethical mining practices.
- Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management: Using digital tools for enhanced regulatory compliance and effective risk management.
In each of these areas, the transformative role of technology, particularly Avanti’s satellite solutions, is apparent. These technologies facilitate real-time communication and data exchange, vital for everything from enhancing safety to ensuring regulatory compliance.
The “Mine Always On” solution exemplifies Avanti’s commitment to bolstering the mining sector’s digital transformation journey, focusing on cyber resilience and progress towards Net Zero goals. This solution offers a secure, stable, and high-performance primary connectivity network, crucial for engineering private networks or leveraging cloud-based applications.
Gamze Aydin emphasises the strategic significance of this move towards digital modernisation and automated mining: “Satellite technology is an undisputed lifeline for mining. It will define new standards for improving efficiency, boosting safety, and addressing environmental compliance. It’s a transformative force, bringing vital technological advancements to legacy systems when it’s needed most.”