TalbotAnalytics, software as a service (SaaS), developed by water solutions provider Talbot, uses data and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable mining operations in South Africa to efficiently use data from smart water meters to manage and improve mine water use and treatment processes.

Using a holistic approach, TalbotAnalytics enhances water-risk measures and improves water security for mining operations. This ensures the mines are future-proofed in terms of environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance, as well as water management and system efficiency.

TalbotAnalytics also guarantees that water operations and optimisation functions are cost-efficient using Talbot’s capital expenditure and operational expenditure models.

The software enables mines to better understand the characteristics of water being generated or used by their various mining processes, and to provide reports for the operators and board alike. These reports include various water-related metrics such as volume, qualities, energy consumption (for pumping) and costs, from a single consolidated database at the “touch of a button”, the company reports.

Typically, when a system parameter hits a certain threshold within the TalbotAnalytics system, a sensor is triggered, and an algorithm develops a trend pattern to inform water technicians about system developments. This enables water system managers to address issues and other developments as and when they arise, says Talbot CEO Carl Haycock.

“The SaaS can be deployed at a number of levels from basic reporting with built-in compliance notifications, delivering bespoke reports for different users within the organisation, through process enhancement using artificial intelligence and machine learning, to tracking water risk and enhancing the mines water security.

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Ultimately the system is designed to improve process efficiencies, reduce cost and enhance financial performance for users’ organisations, Haycock explains.