The participants at this year's Mines and Technology conference in Helsinki experienced a packed program already during the first day.
Mines and Technology was launched in Helsinki by Corina Hebestreit, the director of Euromines, which analyzed the effect of so-called autonomous drilling on production quality and the working environment.
- The goal is to evaluate operating profit for autonomous drilling compared to manual drilling to ensure greater overall efficiency. Among the most important challenges consists of being able to integrate automatic machines for the mines, Hebestreit noted.
Erika Fagerlönn, Planning Manager for Aitik Mine in Boliden, spoke of a total integration of electric vehicles in the field of mining operations. With rising diesel prices and greater environmental awareness, it is time to exploit the power of mining.
- First, however, one must overcome several practical problems regarding electric vehicles in the mine and to ensure maximum operational efficiency and power supply. An evaluation of appropriate mining conditions is needed to maximize the efficiency of electric vehicles, "said Erika Fagerlönn.
Douglas Morrison, President and CEO of the Center for Excellence in Mining Innovations, addressed Europe's long-term vision of mining between 2030 and 2050.
- It is extremely important to analyze the future of turnkey technology in the years 2030-2050 and understand how future European mines will work in the field of automation and so-called smart technology, underlined Morrison.
