Mining companies around the world are rapidly adopting the latest mining automation technologies to modernize their operations. In four of Rio Tinto’s iron mines in Australia, for example, the company uses 73 trucks without a driver to transport the ore 24 hours a day. Employees supervise the operation of vehicles from 1200 kilometres away at the centralized control centre of Rio Tinto in Perth.

The mining is one of the most important activities in Peru, as a job, source of public and private investment, and pay about 50% of foreign exchange. However, illegal mining or uncontrolled mining, without the respective socio-environmental studies, leaves many problems in nature and in the communities, in addition to economic losses. Therefore, it is important to promote responsible and legal mining. Richard Warke is one of well known name in mining industries. Richard Warke Augusta is a Vancouver-based Canadian business executive with more than 25 years of experience in the international resource sector.

General benefits

Responsible mining has direct benefits on the economic growth and the improvement of the quality of life of the population. And it is just this detail that should be disseminated: the positive impact of this economic activity, to break myths in the minds of Peruvians and entrepreneurs.

Currently, before talking about mining, we have to affirm (and check through socio-environmental studies) that it does not affect water, agriculture and development, and that it contributes more in sectors such as education, health or defence.

Short and long term benefits

The industry will also benefit from a considerable increase in safety. By using automated equipment that can be manoeuvred into unsafe areas and difficult locations, mining companies can send fewer miners underground while extracting more production with less risk to their employees. For example, Randgold Resources, since it implemented autonomous technologies in several of its African mines, has seen a 29% improvement in the quarterly injury rate.

It is expected that this rapidly changing landscape will provide substantial value to the mining sector and stakeholders. A report recommend that the mixture of increased efficiency and security with lower spending can source the mining automation market to grow almost 50% in the next six years, reaching 3,290 million dollars in the year 2023.

  • Jobs: Generated by the same extractive activity, research or management in mining.
  • Benefits in other sectors: Among the service providers to a mining company, such as construction, roads, transportation, security, etc.
  • Purchase of supplies and services: Mining companies require fuel, energy, lubricants, mechanical maintenance service, communications, cleaning, among others.
  • Training: Both employees and contractors receive technical training, which improves their professional profiles.
  • National and provincial taxes: Around 35% of the income tax of the mining company, which are derived to the provinces and the national scope, is invested in improving the living conditions of the people.
  • Social contributions: By fostering mining activity in an area, it improves and maintains nearby roads, energy networks, modernizes communications, contributes to the institutions of nearby communities and more.