BHP and Fortescue have taken the stage at the World Mining Congress 2023 to discuss how technology will help the world transition to sustainable forms of energy.
BHP chief technical officer Laura Tyler discussed the “transformations in mining” and how it will mining companies reach net zero.
“I believe nuclear energy will be a part of the base-load mix in the global elimination of carbon emissions rich energy,” Tyler said.
“As more of our systems and decisions are automated, we will become the orchestrators of improvement and innovation – the skills we need for the future must embrace highly digital operational and project management as the way we deliver value and efficiency.
“As we stand in the future I see an exciting, safe and automated sector, valued by society for the types of work it provides.”
Tyler said the key to this future is through innovation. “Firstly, we need to expand the ecosystem of ideas that we are exposed to – we are not in every pool of expertise, but we must be more open to conversations and ideas than ever before.”
Tyler said that by using these ecosystems, the mining industry must use data to drive solutions to make systems run better.
“Partnering on tech and innovation is making our sites safer and more sustainable as we think and act differently to deliver real results,” Tyler said.
Tyler said all mining operations need to identify, develop, and implement digital and technical innovations in order to meet the needs of the future.
“We all need to be thinking about setting ourselves up to do this now; Build our ecosystems, be open to new partnerships and ways of working, and be organised to move faster – driving ourselves forward with data, with people close to the opportunity finding the solution and then sharing the outcome for us all to use,” Tyler said.
“These mines of the future are vital to help to deliver the world of the future and a surer pathway to net zero. A transformation of mining, to deliver a global transformation by mining.”
Fortescue chief executive officer Fiona Hicks also took the stage to discuss how the company has identified a gap in the market: the opportunity to supply green metals and green energy to support sustainable economies.
“At Fortescue, we’ve made the decision to draw on 20 years of experience in large scale infrastructure, in operations, in automation, to deliver some solutions that we need to operate more sustainably,” Hicks said.
“In doing this, we will draw from the collective experiences and strengths of our people – the innovative thinking and undeniable work ethic that our team prides itself on – that has delivered success to date.”
Like Tyler, Hicks touted the importance that technology advancements will have in reducing carbon emissions, which is why the company created Fortescue Future Industries – which will work decarbonise its operations, and in time, will share this technology globally.
“It is through actions like this that will deliver on that new interpretation of value, into the long term,” Hicks said.
Hicks said that its headquarters in Perth will bring together its entire supply chain from mine through to customer.
“It delivers enhanced safety, productivity, efficiency, and commercial benefits, and it’s also going to underpin our future use of technology, including automation and artificial intelligence,” Hicks said.
Hicks said the mining industry will need to work collectively and collaboratively across the value chain to drive the changes needed to lower emissions and meet global reduction targets.
“Partnerships and collaborations are pivotal to us as an industry maintaining our licence to operate – and to deliver that new kind of value creation,” Hicks said.
“The success of individual mining companies and indeed that of the whole mining industry creates value for local communities, for the national economy and creates benefits around the world.
“When the mining industry is strong, there are so many direct and indirect benefits.”
