Information technology (IT) is set to play a significant role in bridging the skills gap in the mining industry globally, says mine management solutions provider Gemcom Software president and CEO Rick Moignard.

Moignard tells Mining Weekly that the mining industry is facing a “much bigger” challenge than the current global economic crisis, as the skills deficit will be a hurdle for the industry if this gap is not closed.

“Many mining engineers and geologists in this industry are in retirement, and in the next five years many of the senior professionals will be leaving the industry. Although there is an increase in the number of mining graduates entering the marketplace, there is still a challenge in the [form of a] lack of experienced individuals to provide mentorship,” he adds.

Moignard says that, through the use of IT, more work can be achieved with a smaller workforce, and that this will assist in alleviating the skills challenge.

The current global economic climate has made technology more attractive, he says, especially in the mining industry, where technology can be used to assist in managing operations more effectively.

“The current economic downturn is something that industry has to contend with. There needs to be a greater understanding of IT in industry. As suppliers, we are partly to blame for not promoting IT to the level [at which] it should be used. However, mining companies and engineers need to adapt to the concept of the new age of technology and realise that mining cannot be conducted as it was 200 years ago.”

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