Top Trends Influencing Mining Engineering
Innovation and trends are somewhat synonymous with the mining industry. No wonder mining engineers believe that today's trends are ingredients for tomorrow's success. The mining industry is experiencing a boom, especially if you consider that Australia is the global front-runner in the exportation of coal, lead, rutile, zinc, uranium, gold, and aluminium. As such, mining engineers have become one of the most sought after professionals in the country. However, mining firms have to monitor the latest trends influencing mining engineering for guaranteed success. This article highlights some of these trends.
3D Modelling
When discussing matters affecting the mining industry, 3D modelling ranks high. See, mine site explorations are an integral function of mining engineers since they help mining companies to establish new mines. However, the construction of new mines can be challenging if mining companies do not have a clear picture of what to expect below ground. 3D modelling helps engineers to create digital diagrams of a mine site, thereby giving them an accurate account of what lies underground. Therefore, engineers can plan the construction of new mines efficiently, particularly for mining sections that would typically be inaccessible. 3D modelling also improves the safety of miners since captured images help to avoid dangerous mines.
Deep-Sea Mining
For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when talking about mining is land mining. Not many people have heard about deep-sea mining, which can be attributed to the fact that undersea mining explorations have not been widely discussed. However, the emergence of undersea mining technologies is only the beginning. According to explorers, sea floors provide significant extraction opportunities considering that only 20% of the ocean has been explored. There is growing evidence that the deep sea is rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and magnesium sources. However, deep-sea mining presents unique challenges in terms of equipment designed for harsh marine conditions. Therefore, mining engineers have to work around the clock to develop specialised equipment to survive these conditions.
Automated Mine-to-Port Shuttling
Transportation of ores from a mine to a port has always been accomplished through crewed trucks and trains. However, manned shuttling is an added cost that mining companies believe can be significantly reduced through automated mine-to-port rail. Notably, mining engineers are working on a system that will see automated trains transport ores from a mine to a port. The opportunities this sort of automation will bring are hard to ignore. Automated mine shuttling is just part of mining engineers' ambitious plan to introduce large scale automation in the mining industry. Therefore, the future of mining in Australia could not be any brighter.
For more information, contact a mining engineering service.
