Mining Digitization

Studied mining efforts for a potential application, and can see the direction, especially regards patterns of detection.

Where digitalization is a goldmine, for real  by Steinar Brandslet, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)   in TechExplore

Digitalizing multiple parts of the mining industry could generate value to the tune of U.S. $321 billion worldwide, according to the World Economic Forum.

Digital transformation is driving a lot of the development around the world, but the rough-and-tumble mining industry still has a way to go. A Chinese-Norwegian cooperation project will accelerate the process.

"Digitalization will be a driving force in furthering development of the mining and metals industry. It will impact interactions with employees, municipalities and other authorities and every step along the value chain," says researcher Xiang Ma at SINTEF Industry, a part of Scandinavia's largest independent research institute, SINTEF.

This result won't be easy to achieve, however. It will require the researchers to effectively coordinate people who are experts in completely different disciplines, such as mineralogy, metallurgy and of course digitalization.

Several researchers at SINTEF Industry and SINTEF Digital are working with master's students from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) to collect precise data and see how artificial intelligence, data analysis and big data could provide the digitalization that the industry so badly needs.

Both China and Norway have significant mining and metals industries, and their international collaborative efforts aim to solve digital stumbling blocks.

Norway produces ferroalloys like ferrosilicon and ferromanganese. Silicon is used in solar panels and the electronics industry, and as an additive in aluminum alloys. Ferromanganese is an important additive in the production of steel.

China is a leading producer of gold. ..