Mining operations can produce air and water pollution due to the machinery and equipment used at different stages of a project, but new processes and technologies are being employed to reduce the environmental impacts. Mike Crabtree knows the critical role that mining plays in Canada’s economy. As President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), a trusted industry provider of sustainable mining solutions through research and technology development, he has over 30 years of experience in energy and clean tech innovation.
Crabtree has been a prominent supporter of sustainable energy initiatives, including his role as an executive board member at Carbon Engineering Inc., which has been particularly noteworthy for its role in capturing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. He is confident that innovation in technology and processes can revolutionize mining operations, producing a safer and more sustainable future.
3 Innovations Driving the Future of Mining
1. Mining Automation and Digital Platforms
Automating mining operations has helped to make the entire cycle more efficient. For example, subterranean electric vehicles and truckless conveyor belt systems that eliminate traditional forklifts and heavy-duty trucks can result in cleaner air.
Digital twinning technology can create a virtual replica of the entire project, including underground topography, mining equipment, and other assets like IoT devices. This detailed and dynamic simulation mirrors the physical mining site, which can improve decision-making and increase efficiency.
Advanced camera systems specifically designed for mining operations will also enable 24-hour monitoring of the site’s drilling and ventilation systems, thereby minimizing the health and safety risks to miners.
2. Digital Visualization and 3D Mapping
Mike Crabtree believes that the future of mining should include technologies and processes that both reduce costs and improve safety. Digital visualizations could be critical to both these efforts, enabling more precise exploration and discovering new mining opportunities. Additionally, virtual reality scenarios can train miners in an immersive environment to improve safety statistics.
3D mapping could support new drilling techniques, including directional drilling and core scanning technologies, enabling deeper and more precise exploration of underground resources and unlocking new opportunities for mineral discovery by drilling in a non-vertical direction. 3D mapping could also optimize transportation routes and waste management, as well as help identify underground hazards such as faults or water zones.
3. Sustainable Mining Practices
According to Mike Crabtree, green mining technologies play an important role. These practices may reduce or improve mining processes and minimize the environmental impact. Emerging technologies and best practices for sustainable mining include bioleaching and biomining, which can reduce the use of chemical processes. Both these processes use microorganisms, including bacteria, to extract valuable metals from low-grade ore.
The concept of creating a circular economy within the mining industry has emerged. This idea promotes the use of recycling, efficiency, and waste reduction throughout the mining life cycle. Under this system, tailings management could be optimized. This may enhance the process of crushing, separating, and storing mined ore by using advanced separation techniques. The leftover waste from mining operations could then be used as raw material in other industries.
Many long-term environmental impacts could be reduced by using sustainable mining practices to fully close mines, restore the landscape, and rehabilitate the ground to counter mining activities. Mike Crabtree envisions a future in mining where artificial intelligence and smart data will be leveraged to promote even better mining processes.
