Energy management and automation company Schneider Electric and industrial software developer AVEVA report that their combined technology offerings are supporting the sustainability initiatives of mining companies.

The partner companies aim to decarbonise the mining, minerals and metals value chains through the provision of an industrial Internet of Things platform, with technology and software elements supporting the capability for energy management and automation.

Their systems are being used to address the four key areas of energy efficiency, yield improvement, low greenhouse-gas emission technology adoption and new green processes.

The companies note that global decarbonisation efforts and associated technologies are heavily reliant on the sustainable production of minerals and commodities. In this regard, they also note that a thriving and healthy mining and metals sector is crucial for the global economy and to support the innovation of new technologies and materials needed for climate change reduction, environmental protection and the circular economy.

To address these needs, Schneider Electric and AVEVA state that they are providing the tools required by organisations to make informed decisions that will empower people across the mining, minerals and metals value chains to be more strategic in their choices based on sound advice with sustainability in mind.

The companies state that their solutions are assisting operators and managers in these choices, leaving these organisations well positioned to tackle some of the challenges associated with adopting sustainable practices, potentially resulting in reduced operating costs and, thus, providing the rare ability of appeasing all stakeholders.

According to market intelligence firm, the International Data Corporation’s (IDC's) Technology Spotlight, titled ‘Transitioning to Sustainable Mining, Minerals and Metals Practices’ and sponsored by AVEVA and Schneider Electric, the top three market pressures driving the sustainability agendas of mining and metals organisations include the need to improve brand equity. They also include the need to reduce the risk of an adverse event and ensure compliance with current and future regulations.

IDC energy insights worldwide mining senior research manager Ben Kirkwood says technology has a critical role to play in supporting mining companies. “Efforts to hit sustainability targets and gain greater visibility and control over operations will enable corporate insight and action relating to energy, water usage, and management of the operational environment.”

He adds that the IDC’s global analysis of the revenue growth and profitability of industrial companies shows that those with a committed and ongoing sustainability-based strategy, combined with a long-term, funded digital transformation agenda, considerably outperform their competitors.

In addition, the IDC Technology Spotlight also reinforces the fact that, as the industry continues to experience backlash for its perceived stagnant position on sustainability, platforms with added analytics are enabling improved operational efficiencies, while enhancing the visibility of the changes being made.

Schneider Electric mining, minerals and metals North America VP David Willick says that digitally integrated operations can address key areas of an organisation’s sustainability agenda by combining power and process intelligence and controls.

“Digitalisation is a critical evolution for the resources industry and Schneider Electric and AVEVA are uniquely qualified to help.”

He says the companies are “experts at marshalling the power” of connected systems and human insight to bring operational performance to its highest level.

AVEVA mining, metals and materials industry principal Martin Provencher says that although the benefits of digital transformation are “crystal clear”, the mining industry has, thus far, been limited by legacy infrastructure, data inadequacies and piecemeal enhancement programmes.

“Increasingly virulent cyberattacks and a growing mandate for decarbonised minerals have further emphasised the importance of having high data availability and embracing a secure, cloud-first approach to visualise and contextualise enterprise-wide processes across global operations,” he says.

Provencher adds that the combination of Schneider Electric’s energy management solutions, automation systems and services and AVEVA’s digital mining transformation solutions, enable customers to transform conventional mining operations into intelligent, resilient and sustainable undertakings.