Minera Mining Technologies has been recognized by APAC CIOOutlook Magazine as the recipient of “Top Metals & Mining Technology Solution Companies,” based on our proprietary methodology, reflecting its position in the industry. This profile has been developed by the APAC CIOOutlook research and editorial team based on insights from an interview with Martin Boulton.

Minera Mining Technologies
Bridging the Gap between Operations and Technology

Martin Boulton, Director

Operations and IT are undeniably the two key major functions that need to be aligned, especially in this age when almost all the operations within businesses are being automated for efficiency gains. Organizations thus need to adapt to the operational use of technology systems and ensure that the numerous business functions deliver support. Every organization across the mining industry needs that balance between operations and technology, which Perth-based Minera facilitates with the required skills, knowledge, and experience. Minera delivers the capabilities required to bridge the gap that prevails between the different department silos of mining companies especially Operations and IT.

Minera works as the catalyst between the customer, equipment manufacturer, and/or vendor and assists them to develop and promote their technology strategies, products, and services. Minera specializes in autonomous and semi-autonomous mining systems and alternative mining technologies like IPCC (in-pit crushing and conveying), Overland Conveying, and Continuous Miners. Minera constantly searches for new technologies to provide an appropriate solution to the challenges prevailing ahead of mining companies.

“We aim to provide value add assistance with management, safety & risk management, and solution implementation,” says Martin Boulton, Director of Minera. Having an expertise in “real world” and exposure in mining operations and broad technology awareness, Minera supports specific technologies such as ADS, AHS, FMS, and IoT technology and machine learning algorithms in the form of advanced data analytics.

However, while deploying these technologies, it is essential to understand how to assess the change readiness of the client and develop comprehensive implementation and change management programs. Minera assesses the clients’ change readiness and adopts a constraint-based approach leveraging its ability to engage all levels of the business. Minera’s solutions enable the clients to experience a reduction in operating costs while increasing production without negative impact on quality or safety.

Minera follows a four-pronged approach to help their clients achieve the desired operational excellence. Minera starts with defining the current and future operational technology which drives them to a strategy they would need to apply. By implementing these strategies, the company derives a befitting technology which Minera deploys by working with the equipment manufacturers and technology providers. Minera assists in bridging the gap in experience, knowledge, and skills between the customer, equipment manufacturer, and the technology provider, and ensures that the organizations it assists improve on their technology investments. “Minera investigates all aspects of mining technology, systems, hardware, software and works with clients to define strategy, guide implementation, conduct business process and key interface mapping, provide project management, planning, audits and technical reviews,” adds Boulton.

Minera has helped clients in studying the viability of alternative mining methods including surface mining and IPCC systems in order to achieve cost efficiency that these methods facilitate as opposed to traditional drill & blast and load & haul. Minera has assisted its clients by providing the support of subject matter experts for the concerned technologies as well as the technology required to implement them. In one of its other client associations, the company helped in reviewing, analyzing, and improving the implementation, performance, and usage of the fleet management systems of a client bridging the gaps in knowledge and skills between the operations and technology vendors.

Minera is extremely proud of numerous associations where it has delivered significant outcomes in terms of achieving operational and technological efficiency. Minera aims to expand its horizon in providing assistance to their clients who look forward to enhance their capabilities and capacities. Considering the specialization the company has gained in autonomous mining systems and mining methodologies, it seems to cover everything that the industry needs today.