Aveva’s AI and Data Vision Powers Mining’s Decarbonization

The mining industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven not by traditional machinery but by the strategic application of data and artificial intelligence. Aveva’s industrial intelligence platform is at the forefront of this shift, enabling companies to leverage their operational data for smarter decision-making that simultaneously cuts emissions and boosts productivity. Senior leaders from the company emphasize that this approach delivers tangible financial and environmental benefits without sacrificing operational output.

According to David Such, Aveva’s Vice President for the Pacific region, their system captures and contextualizes information across the entire lifecycle of a mining operation. “We gather data from the initial design phase all the way through to decommissioning,” he explained. Understanding the complete operational picture allows for more informed decisions that enhance efficiency and reduce the operation’s carbon footprint. This isn’t just a theoretical promise. In one collaboration, a mining operator achieved annual diesel savings of $1.5 million and increased equipment uptime by 3%, demonstrating that environmental and economic goals can be aligned.

Mining presents a distinct set of data challenges, many stemming from its often remote and harsh operating environments. Glenn Kerkhoff, Aveva’s Global Industry Lead for Mining and Metals, pointed to locations like the Arctic Circle where connectivity is a major hurdle. “You can’t simply assume everything will seamlessly connect to the cloud,” he noted. This reality makes the integration of operational technology (OT) with information technology (IT) particularly complex. Individual mining trucks can be equipped with hundreds of sensors, each generating a continuous stream of data. For a large fleet, this creates an overwhelming volume of information. Kerkhoff stressed that the journey toward predictive maintenance begins with establishing a solid data foundation. “First, you must organize your data. Then you progress from descriptive analytics to condition-based monitoring, and finally to true predictive capabilities. It’s a step-by-step process,” he said.

A key philosophy at Aveva is focusing on immediate, measurable wins rather than lengthy, abstract transformation programs. “The era of promising magical results after a three-year wait is over,” Such stated. The strategy involves starting with practical steps like digitizing maintenance work orders and making critical data easily accessible to frontline workers. This builds momentum and delivers quick returns that justify further investment. A project with ArcelorMittal in Canada exemplifies this approach. By using operational analytics to identify and eliminate production bottlenecks, the facility increased its annual throughput by three million tonnes, generating an additional $120 million in revenue.

Transforming a mining operation requires more than just new software; it demands a cultural shift. The industry has historically been fragmented, with different departments and systems operating in isolation. Aveva’s technology is designed to break down these data silos, which in turn encourages greater collaboration among teams. This integrated model is already visible in Western Australia, where companies like Rio Tinto manage multiple mine sites from centralized remote operations centers. Production, maintenance, and logistics teams work together using a unified operational view.

When it comes to artificial intelligence, the executives advocate for a targeted and practical application. “AI is not a magic wand,” Such clarified. “We apply it to specific tasks to make them smarter,” such as automating piping design or analyzing motor vibrations for predictive maintenance. Kerkhoff added that AI enables significant efficiencies, like adjusting conveyor belt speeds to save energy or optimizing truck routes to reduce fuel consumption. However, he emphasized that these advanced applications are entirely dependent on a reliable and well-organized underlying data set.

Decarbonization has moved from a peripheral concern to a central strategic driver for the mining sector. Diesel-powered vehicle fleets alone can be responsible for a fifth of a mine’s total emissions. “Net-zero targets are now being mandated from the top down,” Kerkhoff observed. This means sustainability considerations are integrated into every aspect of operations. Aveva’s Connect platform provides the comprehensive visibility executives need to identify the most significant opportunities for reducing both costs and carbon output.

The global push toward electrification is also reshaping the industry, creating unprecedented demand for critical minerals. Kerkhoff highlighted major investments from technology giants directly into mining supply chains, such as a combined $1 billion investment by Apple and the U.S. Department of Energy into a rare earths project. This underscores how the future of clean energy technologies is intrinsically linked to the mining sector’s ability to operate intelligently and efficiently.

Throughout the discussion, both leaders consistently returned to the central role of people in any successful digital transformation. “Technology can accelerate better ways of working, but the best outcomes are achieved when you successfully align your people, your processes, and your technology,” Such remarked. He also noted that a new generation of digitally-native workers is helping to drive this cultural evolution. Aveva is investing in future talent through university partnerships and graduate programs, recognizing that building digital capability from the ground up is essential for long-term success.

The ultimate goal, as Such summarized, is a logical progression: “You start by making your operations reliable. Then you make them smarter. That’s when genuine, lasting transformation occurs.”

(Source: ITWire Australia)