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[ { "title": "READ | The Industry 4.0 Journey - Pt 4", "nid": "616", "body": "\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://shop.magnet.co.za/\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u00224.0\u0022 data-entity-type=\u0022file\u0022 data-entity-uuid=\u002245904fa8-1214-453b-b3af-fe2b8a17fe37\u0022 src=\u0022/cms/drupal8-magnetgroup/sites/default/files/inline-images/EDITED%20Newsletter%20Industry%204.0%2024%20May.png\u0022 class=\u0022align-center\u0022 /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe need for digital transformation in mining\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-justify\u0022\u003EThe COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on our lives that transcend health-related matters. It has forced entire industries to rethink operational processes and core business fundamentals, and one of the most remarkable outcomes is the acceleration of digital transformation strategies.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-justify\u0022\u003EIn mining, where adoption of\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022https://blog.se.com/datacenter/2020/09/03/experts-weigh-in-on-the-benefits-and-opportunities-of-industry-4-0-and-the-importance-of-industrial-edge-computing/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EIndustry 4.0\u003C/a\u003E\u00A0traditionally has lagged behind other industries, restrictions imposed by the pandemic served as a wake-up call to automate and get connected. With much of the workforce having to work from home, mining companies were forced to evaluate their processes and technologies to embrace industrial transformation to drive agility and operational efficiencies.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-justify\u0022\u003EObviously, no amount of connectivity can entirely remove humans from mining operations, but companies discovered that many tasks that can be performed remotely. This realization isn\u2019t exclusive to mining; 63% of C-suite and technology leaders said in a\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.celerity.com/digital-transformation-report-downloand-confirmation?submissionGuid=96ef7129-56f8-45ac-960d-a3eb705fc0da\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Erecent survey\u003C/a\u003E\u00A0that COVID-19 accelerated their digital transformation efforts. And 49% digital transformation became a priority only after the pandemic started.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://shop.magnet.co.za/\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Mining\u0022 data-entity-type=\u0022file\u0022 data-entity-uuid=\u00228fe29916-da72-4d19-88f3-de6200ac8d36\u0022 src=\u0022/cms/drupal8-magnetgroup/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mining.JPG\u0022 class=\u0022align-center\u0022 /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-justify\u0022\u003EIn mining, the acceleration of digitization has manifested itself in various ways, primarily industrial automation and the implementation of remotely managed data-driven systems designed to improve day-to-day operations and lay the groundwork for predictive maintenance. Remote connectivity has various applications in mining, from tracking assets and workers to equipment monitoring to troubleshooting. With troubleshooting, technicians on site can connect remotely to engineers who walk them through the steps to fix or restart a piece of equipment.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-justify\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EModernizing mining operations for Industry 4.0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-justify\u0022\u003EDigital transformation in mining is no easy task. It requires a lot of planning and vision. Legacy technology and electrical equipment must be replaced, and communications protocols need to be updated. It isn\u2019t uncommon to find Windows XP and Windows 7 still in use. Companies now are replacing those systems with Windows 10 and virtual machines that connect to cloud infrastructures and edge computing networks.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-justify\u0022\u003EThe networks themselves also must be updated. Mining operations are replacing coaxial cables with Ethernet connections, and converting from older communications protocols such as Modbus RTU to Ethernet Modbus/TCP. The newer protocol supports the convergence of IT and Operational Technology (OT), and enables remote management and easier access to data. As such, network updates are key to the implementation of data capture and analytics systems that enable real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-justify\u0022\u003ETo support IT/OT convergence and connected operations, the mining industry is deploying Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and edge computing networks. IIoT networks transmit data captured from on-site sensors, and edge networks which make it possible to process and ana