Most of the Top 100 Miners Will Operate Remote and Autonomous Drill Rigs in 2022

Following the easing of border restrictions, the new normal has seen mining operations around the world adapt through digitalization at a rate not seen since modern mining techniques were first developed more than 100 years ago. IDC predicts by 2022, 75% of the top 100 miners will operate remote and autonomous drill rigs throughout their operations, improving equipment efficiencies.

"In 2022, we expect to see a consolidation of learnings from rapid deployment of remote working technologies which lays down a good foundation to develop the talent required for remote-operated and automated machinery. Miners have embraced DX to maintain production in astounding numbers and I expect this positive influence on the industry over the next five years,“ says Ben Kirkwood, Senior Research Manager, IDC Energy Insights Worldwide Mining.

These are the top strategic predictions that will shape how mining organizations will operate in a digital-first world within the next 12-36 months:

1: Increased Remote Equipment Adoption - Accelerated because of the pandemic, by 2022, 75% of the top 100 miners will operate remote and autonomous drill rigs throughout their operations, improving equipment efficiencies.

2: Resilient Connectivity - By 2022, 5% of global mining operations will be early adopters of 5G to utilize reliable, low-latent connectivity-reliant technologies, improving safety, sustainability, and operational performances.

3: Sustainably Controlled Operations - By 2023, 80% of mining organizations will use sustainability KPIs as part of their primary operational control parameters to help achieve their organizational environment, social, and governance targets.

4: Digitised Talent - By 2023, 25% of the top 100 mining organizations will utilize augmented reality to perform operational maintenance, reducing on-site labor requirements by 20%.

5: Increased OT Security - OT-specific security departments will be created by 4 of the top 5 mining organizations by 2023 as organizations struggle with secure IoT implementations.

6: Auditable Traceability - Enabling improved sustainability and operational tracking, by 2024, 10% of metals produced will use blockchain to track and monitor the commodities' value chain from origin to final product.

7: Enhanced Operations - By 2024, 50% of the top mining organizations will utilize cloud based operational planning and simulation tools, providing decision support, greater analytics, and improved optimization capabilities.

8: Ecosystem-wide Partnerships - By 2025, 80% of organizations will utilize an equipment-as-a-service model in partnership with major vendors to provide support for critical operational equipment and systems.

9: Integrated Processes - By 2025, the top 5 mining organizations will deploy cloud-based platforms to deliver insights across their value chain, supporting self-service for workers and a single source of truth.

10: Satellite Supported Transformation - By 2026, as the cost of deploying satellites drops rapidly, one mining organization will have its satellites in orbit to support its digital mining transformation.