Looking back, mining has a glorious past. What about the future? «We are not going to have enough workers for what’s ahead in the mining industry». This was said by Priscila Moreno, director of Aminer (Association of Research, Extraction, Metallurgical Transformation, Auxiliary and Service Businesses), in an interview with ABC. With this statement in mind, we would like to discuss the future of the mining sector in greater detail in this article.

The main question is the following:is there a future for mining? The answer is clear: without a doubt, there is. It is a sector that brings in investments and helps citizens in small towns that without mines would have disappeared. Job creation is strong and the rehabilitation of areas affected by previous mining activity is essential for environmental awareness and protecting nature.

Job creation in the mining sector

Regarding employment, Priscila Moreno is certain that workers are needed. A very strong mining sector is yet to come in which borers, welders and mine operators, among other job positions, will be in demand. Currently in Andalusia there are eleven thousand direct job positions related with the sector, but that is growing and professional training needs increasing.

The data speaks for itself. In Peru, for example, at the end of 2018 the Ministry of Energy and Mines explained that investments in the mining sector have increased by twenty percent, reaching over five billion dollars. This number is expected to increase by forty percent and reach six and a half billion in 2021, taking into account current and future projects. To lead all of this, innovation is essential.

Innovation in mining of the future

Innovation in mining is synonymous with technology. We mean intelligent systems for production processes. From the extraction of minerals to manufacturing cathodes. The objective is none other than increasing productivity and reducing risk for workers, thanks to the use of telerobotic devices. What innovations are being made in the sector?

• Automated machines and by remote control. Tools that allow for working at a distance and in a completely safe way.
• Predictive analysis and data integration. Mines connected to digital systems that collect information of interest. Vulnerabilities and dangers can be foreseen and improvements studied.
• Clothing technology. Clothing that can measure the level of fatigue or stress of workers.
• Virtual reality for training. Training on innovative tools and their correct use before actually stepping onto the real terrain.
• Automation in mining. Automated equipment to reduce operating costs and accidents in dangerous environments.

At AYMA we opt for this mining of the future and we have a team of experts to offer consulting services for anything you need.