INDUSTRY INTEL Moving forward Using new technology as a means to modernise the industry The physical nature of an ore body determines a mine’s layout and design, which in turn is dictated by available technology Platinum producer Anglo American Platinum’s (Amplats’) strategy of being a global leader in platinum group metals from resource to market is underpinned by technological development and the implementation of appropriate technologies as a means to modernise the way in which it operates, executive head of technical Dr GORDON SMITH tells CHANTELLE KOTZE. H e explains that the physical nature of an ore body determines a mine’s layout and design, which in turn is dictated by available technology. Therefore, if companies evolve their technology use, then the mine design could be changed. This will alter the economics of the operation, which will enable mines to be more flexible in different economic conditions. “Moreover, by making a change to the technology, the way in which mining is undertaken is redefined. This affects the skills of the people required to execute the work,” Smith says. Technological innovations, from a safety perspective, could include real-time excavation mapping, collision avoidance and automation innovations Because work is still largely done by people, executed through processes, and enabled by technology, matching the skills to the technology is the key to success, he notes. The minerals industry value chain from exploration through to downstream beneficiation is highly dependent on science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, or STEM skills. As the world becomes increasingly dependent on ever-changing technology, STEM skills become crucial to the success of the minerals industry. The ability to realise the value of the national mineral resource endowment that South Africa has as the industry “ The natural attributes of the orebody and the processes required to unlock value from the orebody are what drive the pace and nature of technology development and selection,” Dr Gordon Smith 38 MINING REVIEW AFRICA | FEBRUARY 2017 moves through technology adoption and changing mining methods will depend on the availability of a quality workforce that is competent in the necessary STEM skills. Technology readiness “The natural attributes of the ore body and the processes required to unlock value from the ore body are what drive the pace and nature of technology development and selection,” says Smith. There are several stages that technology needs to go through before it can be deployed and commercialised. As a result of this, Smith emphasises that technology readiness needs to be well managed along the way as it is a long process and requires different skills sets along the different stages of the journey from research and development to commercial readiness phase. In determining what a modern mine should encompass to be sustainable in