This article was originally published in the Australian Mining Review November 2023 issue.
Innovative solutions grounded in real-world experience are the best approach to conquering the complex challenges facing the mining industry today, according to leading engineering services company, Mipac.
Over three decades and with 650 projects under their belt, the company has tried and tested solutions to complex problems across the entire mining value chain, from the design and commissioning stages of a project right through to configuration and optimisation.
Their preferred approach? Zooming out. Identifying bottlenecks and interdependencies. Examining the whole mining value chain and every layer of the automation pyramid to discover hidden opportunities to increase productivity, efficiency and reliability of the system.
It’s a strategy the company has been applying since its humble beginnings in Queensland, when a small group of ambitious engineers at MIM Holdings saw a gap in the engineering services industry and jumped in the deep end.
And it’s a strategy that’s paid off: today, the company boasts a team of 120+ electrical, instrumentation, control system, process and software engineers with in-depth site experience from 100+ mine sites in over 50 countries.
There are other reasons the company prefers to take a whole-of-value-chain approach:
1. Today’s challenges are not tomorrow’s challenges.
Since 2007, Ernst and Young has been compiling a list of the top 10 business risks and opportunities facing the mining and minerals sector. Cost reduction considerations, consolidation and capital management prefaced resource nationalism, global skills shortages and a tightening economy. More recently, rising inflation, digital transformation and ESG issues have been at the fore.
Certainly, the mining and minerals sector of today is not what it was in 2007 – and nor are its challenges. Mipac is a firm believer that to remain competitive, companies must continue to adapt, reevaluate priorities and innovate. That’s why the company is quick to adopt new technologies, applying them to projects wherever feasible to ensure that the solutions they provide are sustainable and beneficial in the industry of the future.
2. The workforce continues to change.
Mining operations require a highly skilled and specialised workforce, encompassing geologists, engineers, equipment operators, safety experts, logistics professionals, metallurgists, maintenance staff and many more. Finding and retaining this talent pool is a constant struggle, as the industry faces competition from other sectors offering more attractive work environments or compensation.
On top of this, mining operations are frequently located in remote areas, making recruitment and retention even more challenging. Safety concerns and the physical demands of mining work also contribute to a higher turnover rate. Finally, as the industry modernises and embraces automation and digital technologies, there is a growing need for workers to upskill, which can be a costly exercise for operations.
Mipac’s approach is to co-develop solutions with its clients to ensure front-line operators and staff not only understand but take ownership of any changes implemented. Working
both onsite and remotely, Mipac has the capability to deliver high quality solutions, no matter where your operation. The company also offers customisable, on-demand eLearning solutions to address the challenges of upskilling remote and diverse teams.
3. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach.
From greenfield to brownfield, large to small, every mine site comes with its unique set of challenges – and opportunities.
Thanks to its engineers’ wealth of onsite experience and deep technical knowledge, a Mipac project will often deliver well beyond the required solution, increasing efficiencies, reducing variability, minimising downtime, decreasing risks, improving reliability and leading to gains in productivity and quality.
From control systems with robust technology and engineering foundations to the latest innovative advancements in digital technology, Mipac delivers high-quality, intelligent solutions that drive performance, no matter your site, location or challenge.
In summary, the complexity of today’s mining industry challenges demands innovative solutions. It is not enough to look at cost management, productivity or sustainability challenges in isolation. Rather, a whole of mining value chain approach can help to identify interdependencies, bottlenecks and hidden opportunities.
And whilst in some ways, it is understandable that companies focus on addressing individual problems – as these provide quick wins, easy board and shareholder approval and quick returns on investment – zooming out may be the solution to not only surviving but thriving in the mining industry of tomorrow.
