Mining Industry Revolution 4.0 in the field of Mining Exploration
Exploration activities are one of the important stages that will determine the success of mining activities. Exploration activities can be analogous to research and development (RnD) activities, which have large risks when viewed from a business aspect. Even though this is fraught with risks, this activity cannot be eliminated considering that mining companies will always need reserves to sustain mineral or coal mining activities in the future.
Mining exploration activities take a long time and a lot of funds. 10-15 years to find a location with economic value is a common time, considering that exploration activities are usually carried out in places that still have minimal access to transportation and are remote. Exploration activities are not only carried out for mining companies that are just starting to operate, but also for mining companies that are already operating. Mining companies that are already running require new resources and reserves so that the availability of mining materials can be maintained.
Figure 1. Series of mining activities from exploration, exploitation and extraction (Source: KK Earth Resources Exploration)
In the current era, the industrial revolution 4.0 is developing, which is a transformation of the traditional design (manufacturing) process involving digital systems and the internet, which has also taken place in the mining industry. Industrial Revolution 4.0 is the application of Coding/Computational Thinking, Big Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Sustainability. The application of this industrial revolution in the mining industry is known as mining revolution 4.0 (Mining 4.0). Among the four strategic issues, the issue of sustainability in the world of mining is specific. This is reflected in the provision of lecture material which is always based on good mining principles (Good Mining Practice) while still considering aspects of sustainability for the next generation.
Figure 2. Industrial Revolution 4.0
Sumber: https://dzone.com/articles/industry-40-the-top-9-trends-for-2018
Data collected during exploration activities is an asset of very important value, according to the jargon Data is the new gold. With the development of the mining industry revolution 4.0, various new technologies have begun to be applied since the mining exploration stage. For example, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones that can transmit the latest images and videos can be used for various technical purposes. Making topographic maps, reviewing geotechnical aspects, and planning activities can be done quickly and measurably. Planning activities for regional mapping or sampling activities in remote locations. Rapid tunnel mapping activities also involve the use of the latest technology through technology called uGPS or 3D Laser Mapping. The data is connected in real time, so that the progress of the mine tunnel can be continuously monitored, which can also be synergized with geological and alteration mapping simultaneously. In the field of mineralogy and geometallurgy, QEM-SCAN (Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscope) and MLA (Mineral Liberation Analysis) technology can carry out quantitative and automatic mineral analysis.
Article by KK Earth Resources Exploration – FTTM ITB