Leveraging data to reduce the performance gap

The mining industry has long been the backbone of Australia’s economy, and with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analytics, it’s set to drive productivity and sustainability to new heights. However, the road to achieving this transformation is often paved with challenges that go beyond the hype.

Boon Solutions, a leading provider of AI-powered data and business intelligence consulting services, works with local and global mining companies to map out and navigate this terrain, ensuring that AI and analytics deliver tangible outcomes.

Established in 2014 by managing director and principal consultant, Boon Keat Law, the intelligence firm is dedicated to providing clients with effective data and AI-driven decisions. This is not only achieved via a team of trusted advisors, experts and AI enthusiasts, but through deep expertise across a range of industry-leading data cloud technologies, including AWS, SAP, Qlik, Snowflake, Databricks, Pronto and Microsoft.

The firm is also recognised as Qlik Elite Partners, Talend Gold Partners, Qlik APAC Advisory Council Member, and the Qlik APAC Active Intelligence Partner of the Year 2022.

The Hype vs. Reality of AI in Mining

AI and analytics hold immense promise for mining—predictive maintenance, enhanced safety, optimised resource extraction, and cost reduction. Yet, the reality is that achieving these outcomes is not as simple as flipping a switch. Many mining companies face challenges such as siloed data, legacy systems, and a lack of alignment between IT and operational teams. The first step is to move beyond the hype and focus on the foundations required to make AI and analytics a success.

Data is the lifeblood of any AI or analytics initiative, but many miners struggle with fragmented, inconsistent, and inaccessible data. A typical mine site may generate vast volumes of data from equipment sensors, operational logs, and environmental monitoring systems. However, much of this data is underutilised because it is trapped in silos or lacks the necessary quality for AI applications.

Boon Solutions is committed to helping these companies unlock the full potential of their data and technology investments.

“We have a proven track record of addressing our clients’ unique data challenges and critical pain points,” said Boon.

“The first step is data integration and consolidation where we collate data from multiple sources into a unified platform to essentially create a single source of truth. We then look at data quality management as poor data quality can derail AI projects before they begin. Ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and consistency is a foundational step, which includes implementing automated data validation processes and cleansing historical datasets.”

Boon added, “The third and final step is near real-time data enablement. Mining is a dynamic industry, and actionable insights can significantly impact decision-making.”

A Collaborative Approach

AI and analytics are not just technology projects, but strategic initiatives requiring alignment across an organisation. Successful implementation is also more than simply deploying technology; it involves a holistic approach that considers strategy, process, people, and technology.

“A clear strategy is the foundation of any successful business initiative,” said Boon. “It involves defining the objectives, KPIs, and roadmap for the project. You must prioritise initiatives that align with the company’s strategic goals, such as improving productivity, safety, reducing costs, or achieving environmental sustainability.”

From a process perspective, AI and analytics often require rethinking existing processes and it’s critical that your various data streams can talk to each other.

Boon explained that mining companies face challenges when data is scattered across multiple reports, sources, and sites, often in systems that don’t communicate with each other.

“Rather than juggling multiple conflicting reports, we consolidate your data into a single source, offering a bird’s-eye view of your business alongside drill-downs into transactional data for validation and verification. This approach replaces static PDF reporting with dynamic, customisable reports and dashboards tailored to your business needs. Your AI solution seamlessly integrates with this robust data foundation, unlocking unparalleled opportunities and maximising value.”

Change management is critical when introducing AI and analytics to organisations. Training and upskilling employees, addressing resistance to change, and fostering a culture of innovation are vital for success. It is important to involve employees in the journey, ensuring they see AI as a tool to enhance their work.

Boon highlights the importance of selecting the right technology stack, and how it needs to be driven by business needs rather than trends.

“We take a technology-agnostic approach that ensures the chosen tools and platforms fit the specific requirements of the mining operation. This might include cloud platforms like AWS, Qlik or Azure, advanced analytics tools, or custom AI models. Ultimately, the success of any AI or analytics initiative is measured by the results it delivers, which requires a strong focus on execution, continuous monitoring, and iterative improvement.”

Solving Mining Challenges One Step at a Time

Mining operations often face significant challenges with fragmented reporting, using multiple templates across various mine sites. Boon Solutions addresses this by aggregating data reporting into a single, automated view. This unified perspective is enhanced with an AI-powered bot, delivering insights by pointing directly to your consolidated data.

“We’re solutions-focused and can work with all technologies. This allows us to recommend and implement solutions that are best suited to each client’s needs. This is supported by deep experience in the mining sector, and we understand the operational and regulatory challenges that mining companies face.”

Boon added, “We offer end-to-end solutions, from strategy development and data integration to AI implementation and training, that drive the best outcomes possible. This is bolstered by viewing our clients as partners where we provide ongoing support, training, and optimisation for sustained long-term value.”

For more information, visit boon.com.au