Internet of Things (IoT) in Mining - Thematic Intelligence

Internet of Things (IoT) in Mining - Thematic Intelligence


Summary

IoT enables real-time monitoring and control of mining operations. Therefore, it has become a vital technology for the mining industry. In an industry known for its complex and hazardous operations, IoT provide data on equipment status, safety hazards, and environmental factors, thus improving operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

According to GlobalData forecasts, the total IoT market in mining will be worth $7.8 billion in 2027, having grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1% from $3.7 billion in 2022.

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the use of connected sensors and actuators to control and monitor the environment, the things that move within it, and the people that act within it. IoT technology is employed across the whole mining value chain, from prospecting to reclamation. It influences various aspects such as productivity, remote monitoring, automation, predictive maintenance, operational efficiency, sustainability, and workforce safety.

According to GlobalData forecasts, the total IoT market in mining will be worth $7.8 billion in 2027, having grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1% from $3.7 billion in 2022. Given the hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), we expect further blending of the two technologies, as this combination makes mining processes more efficient.

IoT can benefit the whole mining value chain

In an industry known for its complex and hazardous operations, IoT solutions enable mining companies to automate workflows, improve efficiency while reducing costs, and improve safety and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials across the whole value chain. IoT supports mining operations such as autonomous drilling, driverless haul trucks, health and safety monitoring, energy management, and environmental monitoring. IoT technologies enabling these mining operations include drones, wearable tech, proximity detection sensors, and autonomous trucks. Also, a growing number of products and services incorporate AI into their capabilities, especially for predictive maintenance and digital twin modeling.

The pursuit of faster return on investment drives IoT adoption

IoT implementation across all mining segments is encouraged by lower latency, increased computing power, and the falling price of sensors. IoT-enabled technologies such as drones for surveying and safety and autonomous vehicles and machinery are affordable even for smaller companies and lead to a faster return on investment (ROI). Autonomous mining represents the future, with mining companies of all tiers investing in it. However, it will likely remain primarily accessible to larger players due to the financial commitments involved.

Key Highlights

IoT technology is deployed across the whole mining value chain, from prospecting to reclamation. Its spread has been encouraged by reduced latency, increased computing power, and the falling price of sensors, which have led to a faster ROI.

IoT solutions enable mining companies to automate workflows, improve efficiency while reducing costs, and improve safety and ESG credentials. IoT supports mining operations such as autonomous drilling, driverless haul trucks, health and safety monitoring, energy management, and environmental monitoring. IoT technologies enabling mining operations include drones, wearable tech, proximity detection sensors, and autonomous trucks.

Also, AI has increased relevance across all IoT layers, and a growing number of products and services incorporate this disruptive technology into their capabilities, especially for predictive maintenance and digital twin modeling.

Autonomous mining represents the future, with mining companies of all tiers investing in it. However, it will likely remain primarily accessible to larger players due to the financial commitments involved.

Scope
  • This report provides an overview of the IoT theme. The detailed value chain comprises of five layers: physical, connectivity, data, apps, and services. Leading and challenging vendors are identified across both segments.
  • It identifies mining challenges, such as ESG, safety, productivity, and resource development, and an impact assessment of IoT on the mining industry, addressing these challenges.
  • Several case studies are included to analyze the multiple ways countries and companies have responded to the impact of this theme’s growth and what they are doing to grow with this theme.
Reasons to Buy
  • This report will help you to understand IoT and its potential impact on the mining sector.
  • Benchmark your company against your competitors and assess how mining companies are utilizing IoT to drive revenues.
  • Identify attractive investment targets by understanding which companies are most advanced in the themes that will determine future success in the mining industry.
  • Understand key industry challenges and where IoT use cases are most useful.
  • Develop and design your corporate strategies through an in-house expert analysis of IoT by understanding the primary ways in which this theme is impacting the mining industry.
  • Position yourself for future success by investing in the right IoT technologies.


Executive Summary
Players
Mining Challenges
The Impact of IoT on Mining
How IoT can help address the challenge of ESG
How IoT can help address the challenge of safety
How IoT can help address the challenge of productivity
How IoT can help address the challenge of resource development
Case Studies
Replacing faulty cables is not a manual process anymore
A safe and accurate LiDAR mapping device for challenging mining sites
ABB’s VOD system reduces energy usage and ensures a healthy working environment
Clarity helps First Quantum Minerals to improve air quality compliance
Caterpillar enhances safety and communication with the Connected Worker system
Market Size and Growth Forecasts
Signals
Mergers and acquisitions
Patent trends
Company filing trends
Hiring trends
IoT Value Chain
Physical layer
Connected things
Cameras and lenses
Sensors and microcontrollers
Microprocessors
Connectivity layer
Edge infrastructure
Cloud infrastructure
Networking equipment
Telecom networks
Data layer
Data integration
Data aggregation
Data processing
Data storage
Data validation
Data governance and security
App layer
Apps
Platforms
Services layer
Integration services
Consulting services
Companies
Leading IoT adopters in mining
Specialist IoT vendors in mining
Sector Scorecard
Mining sector scorecard
Who’s who
Thematic screen
Valuation screen
Risk screen
Glossary
Further Reading
GlobalData reports
Our Thematic Research Methodology
About GlobalData
Contact Us
List of Tables
Table 1: Key challenges currently facing the mining sector.
Table 2: Mergers and acquisitions
Table 3: Leading IoT adopters in mining
Table 4: Specialist IoT vendors in mining
Table 5: Glossary
Table 6: GlobalData reports
List of Figures
Figure 1: Key players in IoT
Figure 2: IoT is a disruptive technology for the mining industry
Figure 3: Thematic impact assessment
Figure 4: Ingenious E-Sense identifies damaged HV cables through the electromagnetic field they emit
Figure 5: Emesent provides solutions to safely map hazardous, hard-to-reach, and GPS-denied mine sites
Figure 6: ABB's Ability Ventilation Optimizer system can result in potential annual energy savings of up to 50%
Figure 7: First Quantum Minerals improved its compliance monitoring by deploying Clarity’s IoT solutions
Figure 8: Caterpillar’s Connected Worker System HC1 Hard Hat
Figure 9: The global IoT market in mining will generate $7.8 billion in revenue by 2027
Figure 10: IoT patent filings in the mining sector have remained steady in recent years
Figure 11: The vital role of IoT in the mining industry is more evident as time goes on and ore grade goes down
Figure 12: IoT filing activity in the mining sector
Figure 13: IoT-related hiring activity by mining companies peaked in December 2022
Figure 14: The IoT value chain
Figure 15: The IoT value chain - Physical layer: leaders and challengers
Figure 16: The IoT value chain - Connectivity layer: leaders and challengers
Figure 17: The IoT value chain - Data layer: leaders and challengers
Figure 18: The IoT value chain - App layer: leaders and challengers
Figure 19: The IoT value chain - Services layer: leaders and challengers
Figure 20: Who does what in the mining space?
Figure 21: Thematic screen
Figure 22: Valuation screen
Figure 23: Risk screen
Figure 24: Our five-step approach for generating a sector scorecard

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