MCSA report focuses 4IR for mining

Highlights challenges in mining

for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Recently The Minerals Council South Africa (MCSA) published a visionary report and focussed on Challenges in mining for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been defined as technological developments that blur the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres.

MCSA draws an industry’s attention at the lying potential futures of mining for 4IR that helps in finding and mining new deposits of ‘exotics’ as well as in finding new uses of ‘ordinaries!’ They says, “ It integrates cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things, big data and cloud computing, robotics, artificial intelligence-based systems and additive manufacturing.”

“Compared to previous industrial revolutions, this one is evolving at an exponential rather than a linear pace, with potentially significant impacts on work, services, education and leisure” MCSA adds & call to find the 4IR related solutions together.

Mining R&D and Innovation are firmly back on the national agenda as evidenced by the following:

1: R&D and Innovation back in Minerals Council’s Strategic Plan

2: The 2018 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation, emphasises importance of ‘modernising existing industries like agriculture and mining’ has eight references to mining. The 1996 White Paper had none.

3: Institutions like the CSIR, University of Pretoria and University of Witwatersrand have or are in the process re-creating their roles in mining modernisation.

4: The Mining Charter and the most recently signed Leadership Compact on Competitiveness and Growth both include commitments related to mining RDI.

The Minerals Council’s vision is to reposition the South African mining sector as South Africa’s foremost industrial sector. The Minerals Council seeks to create, in partnership with key stakeholders, a conducive policy, legislative and operating environment that facilitates doubling real investment in mining by 2030.

Achieving this vision will be a game changer for the country and its ability to achieve the National Development Plan (NDP) objectives to improve South Africa’s economic growth, developmental and transformation vision as outlined in the NDP. (Exclusively edited by Nayan Jani, veteran journalist for gem & jewellery industry & trade, Mumbai)