Mining Rediscovered: Transforming Your Operations Post Crisis with a Digital Strategy

Written by Andrew Howell, Director, SAP Business ByDesign at Illumiti

As we’ve been witnessing the adoption of new and emerging technologies over the years–the Internet of Things, analytics and data systems, artificial intelligence, robotics–it’s hard to imagine any organization not utilizing one or a combination of these to improve any and all elements of their operations. And as we bear witness to the collateral damage of the COVID-10 pandemic, is it safe to ask: 

‘Is now is the best time for my mining operation’s reinvention?’

‘Should I begin the process of driving a digital transformation strategy today, so my mining operations are better prepared tomorrow?’ 

Yes and yes! Now is the ideal time to validate your business case for change.

Unearth a new agenda 

The current pandemic has uncovered new issues and challenges, so everyone is looking to technology companies to help, as technology is now seen as a revenue generator and cost controller.  Coupled with productivity and efficiency, innovation also ensures safety and compliance is top-of-mind for any mine.

If a mining operation has already taken the steps to transform digitally, the rest of the organization from a business standpoint, understands the larger organizational goals, and is doing everything necessary to run in an optimal fashion.  Essentially, companies add more value to the whole organization as they enable a solution to help the business use technology in ways that are going to help it operate better, not just at scale, but faster for an on-demand economy, for a connected customer, and for a connected employee at the speed of how everything is evolving.

Strategize and prioritize

A novel economy in a new direction seems to be the course many businesses will take, and to venture confidently means making investments in opportunities that will optimize productivity, enhance the customer experience, and better prepare your operations for future disruptions.

For mining operations, greater investments in technology and a mindset toward digital transformation will be paramount.  Investments in innovative products and technologies will be paramount to change, especially considering how the behaviours of customers are changing—ERP software-as-a-service (SaaS), for instance, has promoted extraordinary growth. As new behaviours are sowed all around us, mining operations need to respond as well.

Mines need to strongly consider digital technologies as part of the conversations moving forward, and focus on looking at technology, not as a cost centre, but rather as a means for reducing costs—applying automation, taking advantage of analytics, and implementing new processes.

Beyond the pandemic, mining companies will need to establish a clear, more defined purpose for their long-term value generation.  With a digital mindset, they will rethink the approach to talent and culture that will be required to operate in a digital environment and create a suitable atmosphere of continuous innovation.

As we witness a shift to remote work and physical distancing, even if considered short-term steps, technology becomes more important.  So, consider devising and implementing a blueprint for opening a business to a new economy, one that considers so many factors and looks at people differently—customers, stakeholders, employees, and business partners, they will all impact your decision-making processes like never before.

A digital journey will require a host of actions and controls to help you achieve objectives quickly and at a lower cost of failure. Consider the following:

• Establish requirements and the means to enforce physical distancing protocols by assessing your operations. 
• Create a digital strategy including a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Take an approach to building an innovation ecosystem that leverages your talent—an incredible way to respond to a competitive, ever-changing environment.
• Reassess the nature of your work by determining new scheduling requirements to ensure employees are safe, and reconsider employee competencies by redefining their roles and duties.
• Since change can happen quickly, place a focus on scenario planning that will help you make numerous assumptions of what the future may have in store and how your business can be impacted.
• Invest in technology and a mindset toward digital transformation.  

As the current COVID-19 pandemic lingers, revealing the limitations and deficiencies of seemingly out-of-date business models, we’re clearly witnessing the need and value of digital transformation. With the pandemic and its impacts, advancing digital transformation is a necessity to accelerate recovery and create a competitive advantage in a post-pandemic world.