| The event featured the leading stakeholders and thought leaders of global mining industry |
Technology and Innovation in Mining 2015 was held at InterContinental Toronto Yorkville Toronto, Canada on 10- 11 September 2015, featuring the leading stakeholders and thought leaders of global mining industry. The summit organised by Information Exchange Group (IXG) put across the challenges in executing large scale automation projects, shared case studies from successful implementations of cutting edge technologies and also discussed the project requirements and aspirations with world class suppliers and solution providers who are collaborating with operators to take the mining industry forward.
During the two days of the conference, the attendees experienced interactive panel discussions, speed-networking sessions, one on one business meetings and engaging presentations addressing the upcoming automation technologies, Internet of Things, Drones, Big Data and how companies are benefitting from the new ways of operating mines.
Day 1 highlights
The day started with the opening keynote session by Carl Weatherell, CEO of the Canada Mining Innovation Council and chaired by Engin Ozberk, Executive Director of International Minerals Innovation Institute, Saskatchewan. A powerful high level panel discussion followed the opening remarks which had senior executive as panelists from organisations such as Vale, Rio Tinto, Kinross Gold and Mineral Chinalco, Peru.
Day 1 also witnessed Dean Wiberg from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory introducing space mining and its implications on effective use of technology for mining on Earth. The day ended with a presentation by Teck Resources on Mine planning software systems.
Day 2 highlights
Day 2 started with the very interesting presentation by Lockheed Martin on using airships for transportation in remote areas, followed by an important discussion on the case for innovation in the mining industry and how stakeholders at various levels can help drive the culture. This panel saw participation from senior representatives from companies such as Barrick Gold, Canada Mining Innovation Council and International Minerals Innovation Institute.
Presentations on day 2 included topics on data analysis, mobile mining, remote sensing solutions, sourcing skilled resources and implications of Big Data in Mining.
Key takeaways
Key takeaways from the conference were:
- Business optimisation through automation
- Internet of things and its impact on the mining industry
- Implications of space mining on effective use of technology for mining on Earth
- Use of airships for transportation in remote areas
- Implementing remote sensing solutions in mining
- The case for innovation in the mining industry
- Big data and its implications for mine operators