The fourth Smart Mining Conference (SMC2021) had returned on the 17 November 2021, hosted by the Institute for Advanced Mining Technologies (AMT) of RWTH Aachen University and VDMA Mining.
Between 17 – 18 November 2021, SMC2021 was held online uniting about 200 business delegates from 20 countries including Germany, Australia, Africa and Canada to address what smart mining means in the post-COVID era, and to provide solutions to navigate the next wave of transformation.
SMC2021 convened international representatives across industry, research, academia, policy and technology. SMC2021 provided insights from around the world to help mining companies and suppliers navigate post-COVID trends and industry challenges, share new innovations and best practices, foster sector-wide collaboration, and pivot towards long-term value and sustainable growth.
This year’s keynotes included ‘Key Trends for Shaping the Mining Future’ led by Andrew Smart, Partner & Global Mining & Metals Leader at Deloitte, Toronto, and ‘Smart Mining in a Post-COVID world” by George Hemingway, Managing Partner and Head of Innovation & Growth Practice at the Stratalist Group, New York City.
Additional programme sessions included:
- Smart operations management.
- Smart decarbonisation strategies.
- Smart work and remote capabilities.
- Smart collaboration technologies.
Elisabeth Clausen, Professor and Director of AMT at RWTH Aachen University, said: “Digital change often is perceived as rather slow in mining, but there is no doubt that the pandemic has accelerated the digital disruption of the mining industry and spurred incredible levels of innovation. This is a great opportunity, and as we rebuild, acclimatise to the new normal, and make progress towards strengthening the ESG performance of the sector, we have a chance to embrace the further application of digital technologies across the sector.
“The pandemic has also revealed a new importance of collaboration. This year’s Smart Mining Conference brought together stakeholders from across the sector and across the world in the spirit of collaboration to help redefine smart-mining in a post-pandemic world. We welcomed our friends and partners from industry, research, academia, technology and policy, as well as making new acquaintances, as we worked to foster new ideas and solutions contributing to sustainable development of the mining sector.”
istock