Operations
simultaneously reducing costs and eliminating potential hazards .
According to Waller , one of the most exciting technology developments in the next ten years will be the use of lasers as cutting tools .
“ In the geothermal industry in America , we see drills that are reliant on lasers for penetration , and we are confident that we will be able to adopt a similar technology in mining to replace the traditional drill and blast , eliminating the safety risks and the impact on the surrounding environment and , at the same time , drastically reducing the time , energy , resources and costs . Replacing drill and blast processes with laser technology also has the potential to cut out traditional and expensive truck haulage , replaced with a conveyor belt or pipe system and bring about a step-change for the industry .”
A major component of Anglo American ’ s FutureSmart™ initiative is utilizing 3D technology to provide richer information for faster and improved decision making .
“ We have seen too many instances of mining companies losing many millions and sometimes billions of dollars of capital by failing to
“ FutureSmart represents a shift in the way we approach mining at Anglo American , and is represented in many different projects across the breadth of the business .”
– Donovan Waller
10 May 2015