EDITORS LETTER
Evolution through Innovation The mining industry is experiencing an era of rapid evolutionary change … In this issue , we salute that pioneering spirit and examine the latest innovations with 5G , lithium extraction and virtual twins , and weigh up the pros and cons of exploration with the proposals for deep-sea mining .
“ Innovation , in all its forms , holds the key to the mining industry sustaining its pioneering spirit ”
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Innovation , in all its forms , holds the key to the mining industry sustaining its pioneering spirit in search of the metals and minerals needed to realise the benefits of the technological advances driving everything from Industry 4.0 to electric vehicles and wireless communications . In this issue , we take a closer look …
While the industry seeks the resources to create the communications solutions of the future , the future is now for mining when it comes to adopting the latest tools to collaborate . GEOVIA ( a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes -3DS ) provides a virtual twin 3DExperience to model and simulate plans for underground mines which can better monitor their potential environmental impact and enhance their productivity .
To help deliver the underground wireless communications driving that collaboration , Nokia is working with chipset and device manufacturers like Qualcomm and Motorola to deliver the 5G mmWave spectrum opening up a wide range of new opportunities in all stages of mining via ultra-fast data rates to smartphones and computers .
Revolutionary technology is also being applied to the production process . With demand for lithium on the rise , to meet the insatiable need for battery metals for energy storage and electric vehicles , EnergyX has developed a unique DLE ( direct lithium extraction ) tech estimated to be capable of contributing the production of 1.5 million tonnes of lithium by 2025 .
DANIEL BRIGHTMORE daniel . brightmore @ bizclikmedia . com © 2021 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED miningglobal . com 5