Operating with ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) considerations has become more and more important for global businesses, including the mining industry. So, how can you put these ESG principles into action while driving growth in this challenging environment?
Smart Data and Environmental Intelligence
Those who extract value from their data will be more competitive, optimise their operations and asset life, and achieve better business outcomes. That’s why many leading mining organisations are seeking new ways of creating value from their data. Smart data management, predictive insights and convergence of data sets are critical to future business success.
In response to the formidable environmental challenges impacting growth outcomes for organisations across the globe, a transformative concept is emerging: Environmental Intelligence (EI). This concept goes well beyond data collection and reporting and focusses much more on the intelligent acquisition and application of environmental knowledge enabled by digital solutions.
EI is made possible today through advances in data analytics, the integration of data from various operational and environmental parameters such as air, water, weather, noise and vibration, the layering of multiple datasets to ascertain potential risks, enhanced sensor technologies, predictive modelling, improved connectivity and the use of advanced cloud technology.
The Role of Environmental Intelligence in Mining
There are a number of key areas where Environmental Intelligence can add value to the mining industry. Environmental Intelligence provides mining organisations with digital modelling solutions and simulations to make better plans. It also enables operations to create dynamic plans based on real-time situational awareness.
This benefits mining companies as it empowers them to continuously monitor and forecast risk ahead of time, and to take immediate action responses as required, which positively impacts safety and operations at the mine. With more comprehensive planning and increased confidence in data and the insights derived from it, mines can experience better operational efficiency and increased production.
Additionally, environmental factors are a vital trigger for community complaints. With all essential data collected in one platform, mine operators can assess their impact beyond the boundary and quickly investigate if a complaint directly results from their actions.
Environmental Intelligence can add significant value to mining operations by developing more innovative ways to operate. With Environmental Intelligence, mining operators can improve the quality of life for both their workforce and the communities they serve in, while also enhancing the operation’s performance by unlocking their assets’ hidden value.
From Compliance to Growth
Viewing environmental management from a ‘compliance perspective’ and as ‘the cost of doing business’ are the top two most mentioned perceptions by survey participants according to a new research report by Frost & Sullivan. This is understandable since environmental breaches can put operating licenses in jeopardy, and the industries surveyed are some of the most regulated when it comes to the environment.
However, there is also a significant proportion of respondents who mention viewing environmental management as important for the health of the planet or as a factor that helps enable growth and optimise their production processes.
This is expected to lead to higher adoption of environmental management solutions in the future, beyond compliance-based requirements. In effect, a shift from a ‘have to’ approach to going above and beyond to enable growth and optimisation.
Around 82% of companies who mentioned environmental management as helping to mitigate operational risks, were aware of environmental intelligence.
Similarly, around 88% of companies who indicated that good environmental management helps them to optimise production, were aware of environmental intelligence. This confirms the growing trend of viewing environmental intelligence as having a definite impact on minimising operational risks and optimising production.
Environmental management is more than a cost of doing business. It is critical to building social license to operate. Communities are looking for us to minimise impact. It is no longer just about creating jobs.
Benefits from Environmental Intelligence Solutions
The reality is that environmental intelligence is more than a concept. It’s a reality for the mining industry today. It is already being applied and the benefits are being realised.
‘Reduced operating costs’ emerges as the most mentioned benefit of implementing environmental intelligence, which is not surprising given that cost pressures were identified as the main challenge to environmental management.
Further, reduced HSE breaches, fewer community complaints and minimised unplanned shutdowns are seen as some of the other main advantages of environmental intelligence.
The data also shows that larger organisations anticipate greater benefits from implementing environmental intelligence, as they were more positive on the ‘benefit’ categories than smaller organisations.
Using environmental intelligence, mining organisations can obtain measurements to
validate models that have been developed and vice versa.
Environmental intelligence is the future of mining. To learn more, visit Envirosuite: https://envirosuite.com/
Watch the latest on-demand webinar from Envirosuite: https://www.australianmining.com.au/whitepaper/mining-masterclass-unlocking-the-value-of-your-assets-with-environmental-intelligence/
