How Has Mining Changed in the Last 50 Years?

The mining industry has changed over the decades regarding process improvements, working conditions, and safety measures. These improvements have been a boon to the industry and the world, and more enhancements should come in the future as mining generators and related mining technology improve. 

Below are some of the significant improvements in the mining industry over the years. 

Material Deposit Tracking

More workers and time were needed to find potential mine locations in earlier decades. Today, mining companies use advanced equipment, soil tests, and chemicals to find gemstones, metals, and coal buried deep in the earth’s crust. This work’s popular technology is Mobile Metal Ion Geochemistry (MMI). It’s highly successful in predicting various material deposits in a good location. 

Advanced Heavy Equipment

Mining today uses heavy equipment to dig, move, crush, excavate, and sort rocks and debris. Miners are carefully trained in how to use these matches smoothly and safely. Heavy machinery makes it possible to streamline mine operations, so there are fewer workers and less danger. 

Heavy equipment that makes the most significant difference in modern mining are: 

• Drills: Making large, deep holes to uncover underground minerals and rocks. Hydraulic and electric drilling rigs are massive and provide accurate results. 
• Earth transporters: Moving rocks faster couldn’t be done without bulldozers. Bulldozers are used in concert with excavators to remove the waste rock. 
• Explosive tools: Modern technology allows for controlled explosions that dislodge valuable rock and mineral deposits. 
• Crushing equipment: Used to crush rocks to a small size for transportation. 
• Feeding and Conveying Machinery: Controls material flows into the rock crusher. Makes the mining process more efficient. 

Women 

During the 90s, women who worked in mines wore men’s mining clothes. Camp amenities were mostly for men. While mining still is behind in gender equality, some companies are moving forward with diversity policies. 

Some have implemented a childcare facility on site. Mining companies will continue to improve because hiring skilled female workers makes them more competitive. 

Geo-Metallurgy

Geo-metallurgical processing is after various mine processes. This lets the miners handle the mine and make predictions on how long the mine can be productive. Production is easier as information is collected about mining materials, how to process them more effectively, and future expectations. 

Mobile Access

Effective communication and information are critical to optimal operations and management. Information that was once by mouth is now done with mobile messaging. Mining companies can provide vital data to miners faster. This helps productivity. Smooth, fast communication reduces production snags. Mobile messaging is critical to miners’ safety. 

Drones

Many think drones are just for shooting video of outdoor scenery. But some mining drone models can handle impacts with obstacles and are useful for scanning mining operations underground. Heavy-duty construction and advanced technology increase their durability, and stability remains after a collision with an obstacle, such as a mine wall. 

Cloud Technology

Cellphones are for more than texting these days. Miners use them to access vital mining information in the cloud at any time. This information is protected with strict data security rules, including unique passwords and protecting sensitive data from people without authorization. 

Automation Technology 

Mine ore carriers can be automated, so miners no longer must endanger their safety to operate them. These vehicles can run 24 hours per day carrying thousands of ore pounds. They also have scanners and radar to move seamlessly through enclosed and dark spaces where miners have trouble breathing. 

Summary

Mining was once one of the most hazardous occupations. Advances in technology have made mining safer, and innovations are making mines more efficient and cheaper to operate. It’s expected more mining improvements will come in the years ahead.